REVIEW: The Mousetrap - BBC EastEnders actors shine in Agatha Christie play

One of the world’s longest-running West End plays arrives in Birmingham with BBC EastEnders soap stars in major roles.

Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap is celebrating its 70th anniversary and is currently playing at Birmingham’s Alexandra Theatre.

The classic crime thriller – which Christie thought would run for a few months – was first staged in 1952 at St. Martin’s Theatre in London where the play continues to be performed in the 21st century.

Over the years the record-breaking play has sold over 10 million tickets and racked up nearly 30,000 performances at the venue.

The late Queen Elizabeth II attended the 50th anniversary production, and in 2021 the West End marked the official reopening of theatres after the COVID-19 lockdown by the return of The Mousetrap.

The Mousetrap celebrates its 70th anniversary

As the seasons change and the nights get colder and darker, The Mousetrap is the perfect way to stoke up the embers of the imagination.

The premise of The Mousetrap is devilishly simple. A vicious murder has taken place in London, and as a snowstorm rages over the land a group of strangers find themselves seeking shelter at a remote manor in the countryside.

A policeman intrudes upon the seven strangers holed up inside the manor and announces that he is on the trail of the notorious killer and believes that one of the people in the house is the murderer.

One by one each of the guests is interrogated and sinful secrets come to the surface, and as they wait for the identity of the killer to be revealed there is mounting dread about who might be the next victim of the murderer.

The dramatic play has kept audiences riveted over the years with its plot twists and turns, and revealing layers of furtive truths that are carefully concealed under the carefully constructed masks worn by human beings.

Todd Carty (Eastenders) as Major Metcalf — Todd Carty (EastEnders) as Major Metcalf

While the original production in 1952 starred the husband and wife team of Richard Attenborough and Sheila Sim, the cast of the 70th anniversary tour of The Mousetrap stars actors from popular BBC soap opera EastEnders.

Todd Carty (Peter “Tucker” Jenkins from Grange Hill), Gwyneth Strong (Cassandra from Only Fools and Horses) and John Altman (“nasty” Nick Cotton) are perfectly cast in their roles and do justice to Christie’s much-loved mystery drama.

Carty captures the military intricacies of his character. He is so convincing as Major Metcalf that even without a military uniform the audience immediately understands that this is a man who has served in the armed forces.

Carty’s vocal delivery is similar to the one used by the Major in Faulty Towers but without that character’s buffoonish comedy. Carty allows his natural ability to instil a sense of command and control as he walks about the stage as if he is in an army barracks.

Gwyneth Strong (Eastenders) as Mrs Boyle — Gwyneth Strong (EastEnders) as Mrs Boyle

Gwyneth Strong as Mrs Boyle is radiant and her eyes sparkle as she engages with the characters around her. Her graceful performance remains in the mind long after the curtain has fallen.

John Altman brings a Mediterranean inflection to his vocal delivery for his role as Mr Paravicini. There’s absolutely no trace of the cockney accent which he employed to such good effect as the infamous “nasty” Nick Cotton in EastEnders.

Altman, like the rest of the cast of this excellent and detailed production, is absolutely perfect in Christie’s legendary play.

Special mention goes to Elliot Clay who plays Christopher Wren. His exuberant energy and comedy touch are irresistible and all eyes are on him when he takes centre stage.

John Altman (Eastenders) as Mr Paravicini — John Altman (EastEnders) as Mr Paravicini

The art and sound design in this 70th anniversary production are also noteworthy. The single set is atmospheric and instantly lays the scene of the unfolding mystery while the special effects used to create the snowstorm that howls outside – and which rattles the windowpanes – is very vivid indeed.

The contrast between the cold outside – with characters shaking snow off their coats as they arrive at the country house – to the warm interior with a glowing fireplace, and the sound of footsteps fading away to different parts of the manor, all of these effects weave together to conjure up a really atmospheric setting for the series of events and revelations that take place inside the manor.

The Mousetrap is an intriguing and engaging murder mystery with a nostalgic feel and full of suspense.

VERDICT: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The Mousetrap is currently playing at The Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham until Saturday 5 November