By Sarah Re
BYU presents The Mousetrap, a wonderful murder mystery by Agatha Christie, full of fun surprises, plot twists, and whodunits. The longest running play on the West End stage in London, in fact it’s still running, and you can easily see why with this delightful comedic murder mystery. BYU’s production is sublime. Perfectly timed for the Halloween season, this *family friendly production brings levity to the intense thriller full of well-defined characters and suspense.
Director David Morgan expertly uses the stage to present a menagerie of eclectic characters trapped in the Monkswell Guest Manor during a snowstorm. Mollie (Sydney Howell) and Giles (Spencer Hunsicker) Ralston have recently acquired the manor and turned it into a guest house (hotel that takes on short and long-term borders.) Their first group of guests comes the day after a murder has occurred. However, they soon discover there is reason to suspect the hotel occupants may too be in danger. Detective Sergeant Trotter (Derek Johnson) finds his way through huge drifts of snow to crack the case and protect the group, who in turn are all protecting secrets. As the story unfolds, we are kept on the edge of our seat, starting to see how any one of them could be a suspect.
The set is beautifully designed by Nat Reed with towering walls soaring to the top of the Pardoe Theater painted green and gold and covered with portraiture in golden frames. Enormous windows open up at the back to reveal snow-topped trees flanking a grand fireplace. Costume Design by Elizabeth Banks and Hair and Makeup by Heather Everett is period perfect and well-suited to each character. The lighting design by Daniele Keely Brown compliments both the set and costumes, bringing the stage to life. I loved the Sound Design by Matthew Kupferer, which adds to the ambience without overpowering the actors, creating a haunting backdrop.
Each actor is perfectly matched to the character, bringing depth and vibrancy to the role. Howell brings grace, compassion, and buoyancy to Mollie, the picture perfect, naive hostess. The relationship between her and her newly-wedded husband, Giles, is believable, capturing the head over heels romance without being overly saccharine. Hunsicker captures the nature of Giles with command, forming a believable character. Johnson leads the show with focus as the Detective, driving the action and bringing us along expertly with his pointed attacks trying to dig out both the murderer, and the next target. Ian Buckley steals the show as Christopher Wren, eccentric and over-the-top without being obnoxious. Buckley creates a complicated and multi-leveled character for whom we have compassion. The relationship that develops between he and Mollie is genuine and endearing. The whole ensemble is exceptional; Chelsea Mortensen is snooty and demanding, capturing the obnoxious and overbearing character with depth. Chris Rollins is a crack-up as the off-the-wall foreigner Mr. Parvavicini, Kenzie Jepperson is sarcastic and dry, finding the depth of a bitter past as Miss Casewell, and Stephen Moore carries authority with his cavalier, calculated calm as Major Metcalf. Each characterization has been fully flushed out and you can truly see the talent of each of these actors shine.
The production is a smashing success. Morgan perfectly balances intelligent, character and objective driven humor with the overall suspense of the piece. We are entranced by the actors’ stunning portrayals as they present deeper themes of trust, revenge, regret, compassion, and intuition. Production Stage Manager Emma Pankratz expertly executes an array of special effects that draws us farther into their world, so beautifully crafted by the design team.
You will be kept on the edge of your seat throughout BYU’s The Mousetrap, wondering “who dun it?” and laughing all the while. Opening with a nearly full house, I suspect tickets will fly for this incredible, *family friendly production. Don’t wait until it’s too late to get yours and they’re all snapped up.
*There is one curse word in the first act
BYU Department of Theater and Media Arts presents, The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie
Pardoe Theater, BYU HFAC, 800 E Campus Drive, Provo, UT 84606
October 26-November 10, 2018, 7:30 PM
The Mousetrap Facebook Event
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