Agatha Christie's Mousetrap

The Mousetrap is a murder mystery play that is set in the early 1900s. It is the longest running play in the West End and I can see why. I am going to try not to give the plot away too much or anyway spoilers or clues. The story takes place in a newly set up hotel, several odd guests arrive and during the night they become snowed in. In the morning they are cut off from the world and a murder takes place...

I think the play is very original despite being a simplistic and even cliche idea. The play is very approriate to see now because it is winter. I saw it in my local theatre and I would recommend it to anyone who likes a puzzle. The play is not very long and easy to understand. The set designed was amazing. It was of the lounge in the hotel. I really liked at how everything was very detailed and the fire in the corner brought out all the rich colour making it feel very warm and homely. The window was very beautifully decorated with snow falling on it. I have no doubt the set would be even better in the West End. The acting was good with everyone having clear voices and the characters seemed really creepy people and it seemed so out of the ordinary. The play was very character driven and the actor/actresses picked up on all their little quirks and intensified them which made the play seem very mysterious. It must be hard to play abnormal people who you won't connect with but they stayed in character for the whole play. Sound and music is used a lot in the play. The tune Three Blind Mice is used frequently. Playing the song slowly for effect really worked as I was familiar with the song it sounded wrong being played slowly. I don't have a lot to criticism about this play but one small error for me was the actors having their back to the audience a lot and blocking some areas for my seat. I don't know if this was intentional to not give away clues or not. This play has taught me that a good production doesn't have to be complicated plot and light, sound and the set is just as important into making a good production as the acting is.