The Bluefield University Theatre Department will present the chilling murder mystery The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie on October 11-13 at 7:30 p.m. and October 14 at 3:00 p.m. in Harman Auditorium on the Bluefield University campus. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and senior adults. Admission for Bluefield University students, faculty, and staff is free.
On a foggy night in post-war London, at 24 Culver Street, Miss Maureen Lyon is strangled by an unknow assailant. The only evidence left at the scene is a scrap of paper pinned to the body that reads, “Three blind mice . . . this is the first.” Next to the body is a notebook with only two addresses written inside—24 Culver Street and Monkswell Manor Guest House.
Monkswell Manor Guest House sits in the countryside 30 miles outside London. The same night Mrs. Lyon dies seven people gather in the old manor house in a blinding snow storm: Mollie and Giles Ralston, owners of the establishment; Christopher Wren, a flamboyant young architect; Mrs. Boyle, a retired magistrate; Major Metcalf, a pensioned army officer; Miss Casewell, a darkly secretive young woman; and Mr. Paravicini, an unexpected mystery guest. As the snow mounts, cutting Monkswell Manor off from the outside world, Police Detective Sergeant Trotter arrives with the urgent warning that one of the guests is a murderer–and at least one is an intended victim.
Written by beloved English mystery maven Agatha Christie, The Mousetrap opened on the West-End in London in 1952—and has been running ever since. In the last sixty-six years the play has had over 27, 000 performances. It is by far the longest initial run of a play in history.
The BU production of The Mousetrap features a cast of eight. Guesthouse owners Mollie and Giles Ralston are played by BU theatre graduate Katherine Shumate, and BU theatre student Aaron Sudderth. The flamboyant architect Christopher Wren is played by Graham High School senior Brian Fisher. Retired magistrate Mrs. Boyle is played by BU music/theatre graduate Mindy Blume. Major Metcalf is played by BU theatre student Carleek Owens. The secretive Miss Casewell is played by BU theatre major Carrington Shelton. The eccentric mystery guest Mr. Paravicini is played by BU theatre student Andrew Viskup. Police Detective Sergeant Trotter is played by BU theatre newcomer, Brendan Moir. The production is directed by BU theatre faculty members Charles M. Reese and Rebecca McCoy-Reese. Claire Fisher and Alexandra Stout are production stage managers.
“We have never done a show like The Mousetrap at Bluefield University,” said director Reese. “It’s fun and frightening at the same time: a traditional English whodunit full of thrills, chills, and suspense . . .and even a few laughs. I know our audiences will enjoy it. After all, it’s been thrilling audiences in London for sixty-six years!”
The Mousetrap opens, October 11 and runs through October 14. Performances are at 7:30 pm Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night, and 3:00 pm Sunday afternoon. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students/senior adults. BU Students, faculty, and staff are free.