Noel Miner, fresh off the smash hit “Calendar Girls” at Bay Street, is joined by husband Harold as the sparkplugs of the new Tavares Theater in its temporary digs at the Bridges Covenant Church. While the surroundings are make-shift, the performance of “The Mousetrap” is not.
Agatha Christie’s signature mystery invites a mixed bag of characters to the isolated Monkswell Manor Guest House. A murder takes place, and the investigation reveals that all are involved with each other in some fashion.
The show is directed by Marni Ann Whitehead who also plays Mollie Ralston. Unfortunately, when the director is a principal actor, blocking suffers and this is the shortcoming of the production. Secondly, the dialog between Whitehead and John Kruetzer (husband Giles Ralston) stumbles and precious time is lost in an already long play.
Secondary roles are all superb. Susan Howland (Mrs. Boyle) and Lou Buffetta (Major Metcalf) make pedestrian roles interesting. Ken Peterson (Paravicini), Adam Curtis (Trotter), and Robby Earl Martin (Wren) all are true to their characters. Mariam Monsour (Miss Casewell) plays her role straight up—straight down.
The audience members gave “Mousetrap” unsolicited thumbs up after the show.
With other local theaters on summer hiatus, “Mousetrap” is my choice to beat the Florida afternoon heat for a couple of hours.
“The Mousetrap” runs through July 31. Further information is available at www.tavarestheater.org.
