BWW Reviews: 2nd Story Pieces Together Entertaining, Mysterious MOUSETRAP

2nd Story's "Murder in Rep," features not one but two murder mystery plays. But like any good murder mystery, there's a twist. The first show is Mousetrap, an Agatha Christie mystery which is also the longest running play in history. The second show, The Murder Room, is actually a spoof of thrillers just like the one it's sharing the stage with.

First up was Mousetrap, which has been running continuously in London since 1952. The play has had more than 25,000 performances and has an ending that is still a mystery to new audiences. No spoilers here, I won't give it away either. Mousetrap concerns a group of people staying at Monkswell Manor, a bed-and-breakfast-type establishment newly opened by Mollie and Giles Ralston. On their opening weekend, they welcome an eclectic group of guests, with no idea that a murderer may be among them. They are all snowed in, as in any good murder mystery, and soon a policeman arrives to inform them that they are, in fact, in grave danger, as a homicidal maniac is on the loose.

One might ask why this play has had such remarkable longevity. One reason is the name under the title, Agatha Christie. Christie is without a doubt one of the greatest mystery writers of all time and anything with her name attached is bound to be of high quality. Another reason for the show's success may be the fact that it's so familiar that it's almost like a old friend or an favorite comfortable sweater. You know what's going to happen (someone will die and eventually the killer will be revealed) but you know it's going to be an entertaining and mysterious ride along the way.

And there is good mystery to be had during Mousetrap. Christie's characters really never find any depth or development, they are mostly stock characters and stereotypes. Still, everyone seems to be hiding something, none of them can really be trusted and all of them are suspects in one way or another. The point of the play isn't to get to know these people, and we don't, it's simply to keep reminding ourselves that one of them is a homicidal maniac and we must figure out which one it is before it's too late. It's a play that asks very little of the audience, other than to buy into the mystery and go along for the suspenseful ride.

For the most part, 2nd Story's directors, Pat Hegnauer and Ed Shea keep the tension at a high level. Blocking and staging are used for maximum effect, often creating moments of palpable suspense or uncertainty. At the same time, the pace is kept at a brisk level, for the most part the show moves along very quickly. There were some problems, though, in the final act, when some frustrating directorial choices were made. The final scenes, including the climax and what happens immediately after, are so glossed over and rushed, they occur much too fast. There's no chance to really take in what's happening or much chance for the tension and dread to really build. In particular, when a character suddenly shows up and potentially resolves everything, it happens in the blink of an eye, leaving the audience to wonder, "What the heck just happened?"

While the actors are not asked to do much more than look scared, worried, suspicious, or all of the above, 2nd Story's ensemble does a uniformly fine job. Paula Faber is especially good as Mrs. Boyle, a snooty, snobbish woman who disapproves of everything. Ben Church is also great as Christopher Wren, a flamboyant young man full of enthusiasm and energy.

As the proprietors of the Manor, Erin Elliott and Dillon Medina are a lot of fun to watch. They make an adorable couple and have a great chemistry together. Elliott, as Mollie Ralston, who is really the play's central figure, is given the most to do with her role and she takes advantage of it. Her performance is the most layered and nuanced in the production. As Sargent Trotter, Ara Boghigian may have been a slightly miscast in the role. While he has classic movie star good looks and stage presence, he sometimes lacked the gravitas or seriousness that would have suited the part.

Both of the "Murder in Rep" shows will be performed on the same stage, a wonderfully designed set that could entice anyone to check in for a snowy weekend sitting by the fire. Despite the play's flaws, what happens by that fire will keep the audience guessing right till the end, as it has for sixty years. On these steamy, hot summer nights, 2nd Story is an excellent place to experience some good old fashioned cold blooded murder.

Mousetrap is at 2nd Story Theatre, 28 Market Street, Warren, RI in repertory with Jack Sharkey's murder spoof, The Murder Room, until September 1. Tickets are $25 and under 21 for $20. 401-247-4200 or http://www.2ndstorytheatre.com/tixfaq.htm.

Pictured: (L to R) Ben Church, Erin Elliott, Dillon Medina, Ara Boghigian, F. William Oakes. Photo by Rich Dionne.