"The Mousetrap" and galal
The Royal Players of Benton will begin their 2009-10 season with its presentation of Agatha Christie’s classic murder mystery, “The Mousetrap,” October 8-10 and 15-17 at 7pm, and October 11 & 18 at 2pm, at the Royal Theatre at 111 S. Market Street in Downtown Benton. Ticket prices are $10 adult, $ 8 senior, and $5 student. Tickets may also be purchased online at theroyalplayers.com. For reservations and information, call 501-315-LIVE (5483).
Directed by Frank O. Butler, “The Mousetrap” finds Mollie Ralston (Sarah Scott Blakey) and her husband, Giles (Mark Troillett), opening a guest house in 1950s England. On their opening weekend, they find themselves in the middle of a snowstorm, as the guests begin arriving: Christopher Wren (Justin A. Pike), a young architect with a pension for the macabre; Mrs. Boyle (Donna Johnston), an older woman used to nicer accommodations; Major Metcalf (Randall Earnest), a retired soldier; and Miss Casewell (Pippa Dean), a woman with a mysterious past. A stranded traveler of unknown origin, Mr. Paravacini (Gerald Rice), rounds out the guest list. Enter Detective Sergeant Trotter (Brian Roberson), who arrives on skis to inform the inhabitants that clues at a murder scene in London have led him to the guest house. Soon after this revelation, one of the guests is murdered. Stranded by the snow, and cut off from communication to the outside world, the race is on to find out who the killer is, and the next victim, before it’s too late.
Originally produced in 1952, “The Mousetrap” has been running continuously in the West End theatre district of London ever since. Still in its initial run, it has logged over 23,000 performances, making it the longest running show in the modern era. At the end of each performance, the audience is asked to swear an oath to never reveal the play’s ending, and that tradition will be carried over to this production.
“The Mousetrap” is produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. For more information about the Royal Players of Benton, visit www.theroyalplayers.com
