The Mousetrap keeps audience guessing all the way to the end

The Mousetrap is the first murder mystery ever enacted at the EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens. Staged in the Burdine Johnson Indoor Theatre, the play’s setting is Monkswell Manor, a guest house near London. The first day of operation finds newly-married couple, the Ralstons, embroiled in a murder investigation while trapped in the manor with a motley group of strangers due to a severe snowstorm. This production stays true to Christie’s popular, record-running “whodunit,” including all of the numerous plot twists and turns. Director, Ameer Mobarak, a wonderfully talented actor in his own “write,” adds a surprising dictatorial twist of his own by implementing the element of comic relief to an otherwise suspenseful storyline.

The comedic quality was most evident in the actions of Rob Novak who played the foreigner of the group, Mr. Paravicini. The audience was especially tickled when he mimimicked playing the tune of “Three Blind Mice” on an imaginary piano, using just one finger. Of course, all of the suspicious characters were mysteriously quirky in very individual ways. Robyn Gammill well-defined the lead character, Mollie Ralston, as an agitated and increasingly nervous wife. HeathThompson gave a totally believable performance as suspiciously jealous husband, Giles Ralston. Michael Vybiral’s performance as the neurotic Christopher Wren was quite unnerving, to say the least. Derek Smootz lent a palpable air of authority to his character, Detective Sergeant Trotter. James Byers was oddly convincing as the cellar-loving Major Metcalf. Kathleen Rogers’ Miss Casewell was the embodiment of a tortured soul. No stranger to comedy acting, Karin Cunningham played the whingeing Mrs. Boyle with an exactness that made all the other characters want to, well… come to the show to find out for yourself.

The Moustrap runs on weekends from Friday, November 2 through Sunday, November 18. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m. Seating in the Burdine Johnson Indoor Theatre is limited. Tickets are available at the door or on-line at www.emilyann.org. Call (512) 847-6969 for more information. The EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens is located at 1101 FM 2325 in Wimberley.

The Mousetrap runs on weekends from Friday, November 2 through Sunday, November 18. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m. Seating in the Burdine Johnson Indoor Theatre is limited. Tickets are available at the door or on-line at www.emilyann.org. Call (512) 847-6969 for more information. The EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens is located at 1101 FM 2325 in Wimberley.