| the_mousetrap_programme_notes__1_.docx |
The Mousetrap Programme Notes
Introduction
The Mousetrap is the genre-defining murder mystery from Agatha Christie, the world’s best-selling novelist of all time. As news spreads of a murder in London, a group of seven strangers find themselves snowed in at Monkswell Manor, a remote countryside guesthouse. When a police sergeant arrives, the guests discover – to their horror – that a killer is in their midst. One by one, the suspicious characters reveal their sordid pasts. Which one is the murderer? Who will be their next victim?
Set
The Mousetrap has just one set, the main sitting room of Monkswell Manor guest house. It’s a grand room, with high ceilings. The room is all clad in warm wood panelling, with a wooden floor.
In the centre of the floor there is a two-seater sofa and an armchair. It’s pale blue with birds and flowers, and there are lots of cushions. Behind the sofa, there is a table lamp and a vase of flowers. The sofa sits on a pale pink rug.
The walls of the set are made up of four angles, so it seems to curve around the stage. There are a number of doors and exits, each leading other rooms that we can’t see.
From left to right the set is laid out as follows.
On the far left is a small wooden panel door with an pointed arched top. This door leads to the dining room. Next to it is large stone fireplace with a wooden fire surround and a broad mantlepiece. A pink rug is on the floor in front of the fire. Above the mantlepiece is a painting of a lady in regency clothing, with an impressive bosom. There are lights on either side of the painting and chairs on either side of the fireplace.
Following round, on the left towards the back, is a wide open exit. It leads to the hallway and front door, and the kitchen. Through the gap we glimpse a heavy oak chest and a painting of a stern military man.
At the back of the set, in the middle, is a stained glass window with nine panes. The lowest centre pane can be opened to the outside. The window is covered in heavy burgundy velvet curtains. In front of the window is a wide wooden table.
At the back, towards the right of the set, is another wide open exit. Here, four stone steps curve up out of sight, towards the right. There is a wooden banister and a wall light. Just visible at the top of the steps on the right is the arched door to the library. The steps also lead on up to the bedrooms.
At the back, towards the right is a small wooden table. It has a couple of drawers, and on the shelf at the bottom are magazines and books. On top of the table is a wireless – a wooden box with a speaker grill on the front and two knobs for tuning and volume. Above the table is another wall light.
On the far right is another small wooden panel door with an pointed arched top. This one leads to the drawing room.
Lighting is used to clever effect, especially during Act One when it gets gradually darker and darker as day turns to night.
Characters
Mollie
Neerja Naik plays Mollie Ralston.
A newlywed who has inherited Monkswell Manor and has recently opened it as a guesthouse with her husband.
Mollie wears a white blouse with a short dark blue cardigan, a pleated grey and white tartan skirt that falls to her mid calf and black mary jane style shoes.
She has long brown wavy hair that’s pinned back with a simple hair pin
Mollie changes to wear a royal blue tea dress that has a wide turned out collar and cuffs that are darker blue with white polka dots on them. She also wears a red and white tartan apron around her waist covering half her skirt at the front.
Giles
Barnaby Jago plays Giles Ralston.
The more cautious proprietor of Monkswell Manor, and Molly's husband of only a year.
Giles wears a dark grey suit jacket that has a white pocket handkerchief poking out.Underneath his jacket, a red v-neck pullover on top of a pale grey shirt with a black tie. He wears black suit trousers and shiny black brogue shoes. When Giles goes outside he wears a black fedora, a long, mid thigh length wool coat and a Burberry plaid scarf.
Giles has short dark brown hair.
When Giles changes his clothes, he is wearing a dark blue woollen cardigan over a pale blue shirt and tan corduroy trousers with pale tan leather shoes. When he is outside he wears a dark blue anorak and a blue flat cap.
Christopher
Shaun McCourt plays Christopher Wren.
A young architect with a flamboyant and often inappropriate sense of humour.
Christopher is wearing a grey suit jacket that has a red pocket handkerchief and underneath this, a striped yellow, red and grey v-neck pullover, he accompanies this with a yellow spotted bow tie on top of a pale grey shirt. He wears khaki green suit trousers and tan leather brogues on his feet. His outside clothing comprises of a light brown trilby, a grey tartan scarf and a long wool coat in the same light brown as his hat when he comes in from outside. He is also wearing thick brown leather gloves. Christopher has short fair hair and a red pocket handkerchief in his jacket.
Mrs Boyle
Gwyneth Strong plays Mrs Boyle.
A retiree whose acerbic tone makes her a challenging guest.
Mrs Boyle wears a pale green suit jacket with a matching skirt and black low cut boots with a fur trim. The jacket and suit are reflective of an army uniform. She wears a white collared blouse underneath her suit jacket. Mrs Boyle’s outdoor clothing consists of a long black wool coat, a black wide brim hat and a caramel coloured scarf. Mrs Boyle has short fair hair that is tied back meticulously apart from a little wisp that falls over her left eye. She carries a small stiff sided black leather handbag.
When she is relaxing as a guest, Mrs Boyle wears a dark green cardigan with an orange and yellow silk shawl draped around her.
Major Metcalf
Todd Carty plays Major Metcalf.
A disciplined and affable gentleman who seems all too keen to help his hosts cope with the consequences of the snowstorm.
Major Metcalf wears a pale brown striped suit jacket with dark brown trousers and maroon leather shoes. Underneath his jacket he’s wearing a yellow waistcoat, a grey and blue striped tie on top of a white shirt. The Major’s outdoor clothing consists of a long black wool coat, a dark brown trilby and a red white and black tartan scarf. Major Metcalf has dark brown hair a moustache and goatee.
Casewell
Amy Spinks plays Miss Casewell.
An aloof young woman on a business trip. Unwilling to discuss private matters and disinterested in the opinion of her fellow guests.
Casewell wears a pale grey suit, the trousers are high waisted and grey with a black belt. Under the grey jacket she wears a white shirt and a green tartan tie and black leather shoes. Casewell’s outdoor clothing is a long black woollen coat, a black trilby and a grey tartan scarf. Casewell’s hair is light brown and is tied back into a neat ponytail.
Casewell also wears a dark green cardigan with a black and white neck tie when she’s relaxing in the guest house.
Paravicini
Steven Elliot plays Mr Paravicini.
A roguish gentleman who hides his reasons for being there and acts as if visiting from another era.
Paravicini wears a black suit dress jacket with dark grey trousers and black leather shoes. Underneath his jacket he is wearing a dark blue waistcoat that is buttoned with dark blue buttons. He has a chain on his waistcoat and a dark blue silk pocket handkerchief poking out of his breast pocket He has a white shirt with a high necked wing tip collar underneath this and a dark blue cravat pinned in the centre. Outdoor clothes include a long woollen black coast, wide brimmed black trilby hat and a plain pale grey wool scarf. Paravicini has short black hair that is greying just behind his ears.
Trotter
Michael Ayiotis plays Detective Sgt. Trotter.
The young detective assigned to report on the Monkswell Manor situation as it unfolds. Determined and authoritative, with a keen mind.
Trotter wears a pale green anorak with a fur trimmed hood when he first arrives, he is also wearing a black woollen hat with ski goggles and black gloves.
Trotter wears a dark brown suit jacket with paler brown trousers. He has a white shirt and a burgundy tie and wears dark brown leather shoes. Trotter has dark brown short hair.
Creative Team
WRITER (1890-1976)
AGATHA CHRISTIE
DIRECTOR
IAN TALBOT O.B.E
DIRECTOR
DENISE SILVEY
COSTUME SUPERVISOR
CAROLINE HANNAM
PRODUCER
ADAM SPIEGEL
PRODUCER
SIR STEPHEN WALEY-COHEN
COMPANY STAGE MANAGER
LAUREN BARCLAY
DEPUTY STAGE MANAGER
MATTHEW PAIN
Introduction
The Mousetrap is the genre-defining murder mystery from Agatha Christie, the world’s best-selling novelist of all time. As news spreads of a murder in London, a group of seven strangers find themselves snowed in at Monkswell Manor, a remote countryside guesthouse. When a police sergeant arrives, the guests discover – to their horror – that a killer is in their midst. One by one, the suspicious characters reveal their sordid pasts. Which one is the murderer? Who will be their next victim?
Set
The Mousetrap has just one set, the main sitting room of Monkswell Manor guest house. It’s a grand room, with high ceilings. The room is all clad in warm wood panelling, with a wooden floor.
In the centre of the floor there is a two-seater sofa and an armchair. It’s pale blue with birds and flowers, and there are lots of cushions. Behind the sofa, there is a table lamp and a vase of flowers. The sofa sits on a pale pink rug.
The walls of the set are made up of four angles, so it seems to curve around the stage. There are a number of doors and exits, each leading other rooms that we can’t see.
From left to right the set is laid out as follows.
On the far left is a small wooden panel door with an pointed arched top. This door leads to the dining room. Next to it is large stone fireplace with a wooden fire surround and a broad mantlepiece. A pink rug is on the floor in front of the fire. Above the mantlepiece is a painting of a lady in regency clothing, with an impressive bosom. There are lights on either side of the painting and chairs on either side of the fireplace.
Following round, on the left towards the back, is a wide open exit. It leads to the hallway and front door, and the kitchen. Through the gap we glimpse a heavy oak chest and a painting of a stern military man.
At the back of the set, in the middle, is a stained glass window with nine panes. The lowest centre pane can be opened to the outside. The window is covered in heavy burgundy velvet curtains. In front of the window is a wide wooden table.
At the back, towards the right of the set, is another wide open exit. Here, four stone steps curve up out of sight, towards the right. There is a wooden banister and a wall light. Just visible at the top of the steps on the right is the arched door to the library. The steps also lead on up to the bedrooms.
At the back, towards the right is a small wooden table. It has a couple of drawers, and on the shelf at the bottom are magazines and books. On top of the table is a wireless – a wooden box with a speaker grill on the front and two knobs for tuning and volume. Above the table is another wall light.
On the far right is another small wooden panel door with an pointed arched top. This one leads to the drawing room.
Lighting is used to clever effect, especially during Act One when it gets gradually darker and darker as day turns to night.
Characters
Mollie
Neerja Naik plays Mollie Ralston.
A newlywed who has inherited Monkswell Manor and has recently opened it as a guesthouse with her husband.
Mollie wears a white blouse with a short dark blue cardigan, a pleated grey and white tartan skirt that falls to her mid calf and black mary jane style shoes.
She has long brown wavy hair that’s pinned back with a simple hair pin
Mollie changes to wear a royal blue tea dress that has a wide turned out collar and cuffs that are darker blue with white polka dots on them. She also wears a red and white tartan apron around her waist covering half her skirt at the front.
Giles
Barnaby Jago plays Giles Ralston.
The more cautious proprietor of Monkswell Manor, and Molly's husband of only a year.
Giles wears a dark grey suit jacket that has a white pocket handkerchief poking out.Underneath his jacket, a red v-neck pullover on top of a pale grey shirt with a black tie. He wears black suit trousers and shiny black brogue shoes. When Giles goes outside he wears a black fedora, a long, mid thigh length wool coat and a Burberry plaid scarf.
Giles has short dark brown hair.
When Giles changes his clothes, he is wearing a dark blue woollen cardigan over a pale blue shirt and tan corduroy trousers with pale tan leather shoes. When he is outside he wears a dark blue anorak and a blue flat cap.
Christopher
Shaun McCourt plays Christopher Wren.
A young architect with a flamboyant and often inappropriate sense of humour.
Christopher is wearing a grey suit jacket that has a red pocket handkerchief and underneath this, a striped yellow, red and grey v-neck pullover, he accompanies this with a yellow spotted bow tie on top of a pale grey shirt. He wears khaki green suit trousers and tan leather brogues on his feet. His outside clothing comprises of a light brown trilby, a grey tartan scarf and a long wool coat in the same light brown as his hat when he comes in from outside. He is also wearing thick brown leather gloves. Christopher has short fair hair and a red pocket handkerchief in his jacket.
Mrs Boyle
Gwyneth Strong plays Mrs Boyle.
A retiree whose acerbic tone makes her a challenging guest.
Mrs Boyle wears a pale green suit jacket with a matching skirt and black low cut boots with a fur trim. The jacket and suit are reflective of an army uniform. She wears a white collared blouse underneath her suit jacket. Mrs Boyle’s outdoor clothing consists of a long black wool coat, a black wide brim hat and a caramel coloured scarf. Mrs Boyle has short fair hair that is tied back meticulously apart from a little wisp that falls over her left eye. She carries a small stiff sided black leather handbag.
When she is relaxing as a guest, Mrs Boyle wears a dark green cardigan with an orange and yellow silk shawl draped around her.
Major Metcalf
Todd Carty plays Major Metcalf.
A disciplined and affable gentleman who seems all too keen to help his hosts cope with the consequences of the snowstorm.
Major Metcalf wears a pale brown striped suit jacket with dark brown trousers and maroon leather shoes. Underneath his jacket he’s wearing a yellow waistcoat, a grey and blue striped tie on top of a white shirt. The Major’s outdoor clothing consists of a long black wool coat, a dark brown trilby and a red white and black tartan scarf. Major Metcalf has dark brown hair a moustache and goatee.
Casewell
Amy Spinks plays Miss Casewell.
An aloof young woman on a business trip. Unwilling to discuss private matters and disinterested in the opinion of her fellow guests.
Casewell wears a pale grey suit, the trousers are high waisted and grey with a black belt. Under the grey jacket she wears a white shirt and a green tartan tie and black leather shoes. Casewell’s outdoor clothing is a long black woollen coat, a black trilby and a grey tartan scarf. Casewell’s hair is light brown and is tied back into a neat ponytail.
Casewell also wears a dark green cardigan with a black and white neck tie when she’s relaxing in the guest house.
Paravicini
Steven Elliot plays Mr Paravicini.
A roguish gentleman who hides his reasons for being there and acts as if visiting from another era.
Paravicini wears a black suit dress jacket with dark grey trousers and black leather shoes. Underneath his jacket he is wearing a dark blue waistcoat that is buttoned with dark blue buttons. He has a chain on his waistcoat and a dark blue silk pocket handkerchief poking out of his breast pocket He has a white shirt with a high necked wing tip collar underneath this and a dark blue cravat pinned in the centre. Outdoor clothes include a long woollen black coast, wide brimmed black trilby hat and a plain pale grey wool scarf. Paravicini has short black hair that is greying just behind his ears.
Trotter
Michael Ayiotis plays Detective Sgt. Trotter.
The young detective assigned to report on the Monkswell Manor situation as it unfolds. Determined and authoritative, with a keen mind.
Trotter wears a pale green anorak with a fur trimmed hood when he first arrives, he is also wearing a black woollen hat with ski goggles and black gloves.
Trotter wears a dark brown suit jacket with paler brown trousers. He has a white shirt and a burgundy tie and wears dark brown leather shoes. Trotter has dark brown short hair.
Creative Team
WRITER (1890-1976)
AGATHA CHRISTIE
DIRECTOR
IAN TALBOT O.B.E
DIRECTOR
DENISE SILVEY
COSTUME SUPERVISOR
CAROLINE HANNAM
PRODUCER
ADAM SPIEGEL
PRODUCER
SIR STEPHEN WALEY-COHEN
COMPANY STAGE MANAGER
LAUREN BARCLAY
DEPUTY STAGE MANAGER
MATTHEW PAIN
