The Mousetrap – Liverpool Empire

There’s been a murder within the community. Now when you think of murder mystery shows you either get a 3-course meal or your gathered around a Cluedo board wondering if it was Colonel Mustard in the billiard room with the knife. But this, however, was a full-scale production at the Liverpool Empire theatre. Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap directed by Ian Talbot OBE and Denise Silvey.

A new guest house has opened, and the hosts Mollie Ralston (Joelle Dyson) and Giles Ralston (Laurence Pears) are ready and waiting to welcome their guests. However, all is not as it seems, a murder has been committed by someone in a long coat, light scarf and a velvet hat. Everyone is a suspect. The first guest to arrive is Christopher Wren (Elliot Clay) an architect who loves to cook and find every person interesting. He’s rather odd and eccentric. The rest of the guests began to arrive and shield themselves from the heavy snowy blizzard and 4 inches of snow. Guests included Mrs Boyle (Gwyneth Strong) a lady who tends to rub people up the wrong way and is outraged that the hotel has no staff as Giles and Mollie did all the work themselves. Major Metcalfe (Todd Carty) a man of order, Miss Casewell (Essie Barrow) we’re the last two guests on the list to arrive and be shown to their rooms. At least that’s what they thought as an unexpected guest came to the door needing a room Mr Paravicini (John Altman). Luckily, they had a room available, but no one knew much about this character. The telephone rang to say that Detective Sargent Trotter (Joseph Reed) was on his way as he needed to speak to Giles and Molly immediately in person to offer protection. Despite the heavy storm he managed to arrive at the guest house not by car off course but by using skies. It was at this point things started to go wrong. The phone lines were cut, and lights began to flicker. Also, a haunting rendition of some nursery rhymes.

Now without giving to much away this production had some highs and moments that died a death if you pardon the pun. The highs were that it did offer moments of laughter particularly from Elliot Clay who reminded me of a young Lee Evans with his mannerisms. The show had moments that kept you guessing and in the interval of the show it was nice to eavesdrop on other conversations from other patrons as to who they believed who done it. However, the bits I didn’t think were needed. The curtain would come down randomly within the show as an audience member I was unsure as to whether it ended or if it was a scene change as some audience members clapped and got up only to realise the show was carrying on. Maybe a simple black out would be best. The show was two hours long but felt it could have been shorter as I was losing concentration in parts. You often see murder mystery shows over dinner parties as it’s more immersive and engaging whilst this was an engaging piece of theatre, I don’t think it’s suited for the Liverpool Empire. Now whether you choose to believe me or not I did work out the murderer. This show resembles another play which I won’t give away because I don’t want to ruin two play outcomes. So, I felt in parts some of it was predictable.

It is worth a watch, but I won’t be rushing back to see it again in a hurry. But the actors within this production is very well cast.

Playing until 12th November, https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-mousetrap/liverpool-empire/

Reviewer: Luke Stephenson

Reviewed: 7th November 2022

North West End UK Rating: ★★★