Agatha Christie’s THE MOUSETRAP at Timonium Dinner Theatre
By Celeste H. Breitenbach
Lorenzo’s Timonium Dinner Theatre, at 9603 Deereco Rd., opens its current offering with the Director presenting a brief background of Agatha Christie’s THE MOUSETRAP.
It seems that in honor of Queen Mary’s birthday in the late 1940s, British radio was doing special broadcasts all day and asked if there was anything special she wanted to hear. Her only request was something by her favorite author Agatha Christie.
The famed mystery writer penned THE MOUSETRAP specifically for the occasion. She later expanded the radio show to a full play, which opened in November 1952 and has not closed since.
With over 22,000 performances in 54 consecutive years, it is the longest play run ever. There is no film or TV version because Agatha Christie wrote into her contract that there was to be none as long as the play was running in England. To protect the integrity of the show, she did not want a film version to spoil the play.
Before the lights come up, a murder is committed offstage. It is winter, 1950. The Ralstons, a young couple, have just opened their Monkswell Manor Guest Home in the English countryside. The murderer’s description airs over the radio. He is wearing a dark overcoat and a felt hat, exactly what the wife is hanging up from her husband who just returned home.
As guests come in from the snow, they, too, are wearing the described outfit. After all pre-registered guests have arrived, an unexpected foreigner appears. His car has overturned in a snowbank. A policeman calls and soon arrives on skis.
In England, the audience is sworn to not reveal who dunnit. Lorenzo’s audiences are likewise requested to maintain that tradition.
Therefore, I shall say only that director Thomas C. Hessenauer stages a masterful production that has the audience pondering the poser of possible pursuer and pursued in a play with the theme of “Three Blind Mice.”
The cast is well honed with (in order of appearance) KC O’Connor and Tim O’Neill as Inn owners Mollie and Giles Ralston, Jim Gehrhardt as Christopher Wren, Joan Crooks as Mrs. Boyle, Joseph Senatore as Major Metcalf, Regina Rose as Miss Casewell, Dale Trott as Mr. Paravicini and Kingsville resident Michael C. Stettes as Sgt. Trotter.
Which is the murderer? Which is/are the next intended victim(s)?
You’ll have to see THE MOUSETRAP to find out! It’s an intriguing mystery. P.S. The food is good, too.
For times and reservations, go online to www.timoniumdinnertheatre.com or call 410-560-1113.