In Christie’s ‘The Mousetrap,’ CCHS cast mines humor amid mystery

At a snowbound guesthouse outside London, eight people are gathered under one roof, each with their own secrets. As tensions rise and a murder mystery unfolds, one question hangs over the room: Who can be trusted?

On Halloween weekend, Acton-Carlisle High School is bringing Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap” to the stage. Although the play is known for its suspense, the production also makes room for quirky characters and unexpected splashes of humor.

“We are finding different moments of comedy in the show where you might not traditionally [find them],” director Lauren Esper says. Lighting and sound add to the atmosphere, from an unsettling voice on the radio to beams that cast silhouettes across the stage.

Guests and guesses

CCHS’ “The Mousetrap” invites audiences to scrutinize suspects alongside Detective Sergeant Trotter, who arrives on skis to investigate the murder of a woman named Maureen Lyon. Every guest offers another possible clue, keeping audience members guessing until the final reveal. 

Guesthouse owner Molly Ralston, played by Paloma Wigton, tries to keep everyone happy and everything under control. As events unfold, her composure begins to crack.

“I think something that makes me suspicious is my level of anxiety,” Wigton says, describing Molly’s restless desperation to solve the mystery.

Her husband, Giles, played by John Batsford, brings a different kind of energy, fidgeting and stammering. Protective of Molly but sometimes jealous and awkward, Batsford says that as Giles, “I just try to act nervous all the time.” 

Christopher Wren, played by Luke Gettings, is a quirky architect whose behavior makes him difficult to read. “What’s nice about Christopher is that since he’s already this kooky guy,” Gettings says, “you don’t know if he’s actually kooky because he’s the murderer, or if maybe he’s just like that.” Gettings researched Cockney accents for the part. 

Miss Casewell, played by Emma Couvillon, stands apart through her independence and disregard for traditional 1950s expectations. Couvillon describes her as sarcastic and not particularly ladylike. After watching previous productions of “The Mousetrap,” she combined different interpretations to create a portrayal that suggests Miss Casewell might know more than she reveals.

Mrs. Boyle, played by Anika Olesen, is suspicious for a similar but distinct reason: She’s deeply stubborn and makes little effort to be likable. “She’s a brat. She wants everything done her way,” Olesen says.

Mr. Paravicini, played by Alex Pierce, stands out for being “maniacal” and “cynical,” with unusual mannerisms and strong interest in the other guests.

In contrast to the more obviously eccentric characters, Major Metcalf is a former military man who actor Sage Babcock describes as “very strict.” 

An intricate puzzle

Trotter must make sense of the colliding clues. Cricket MacDonald is working to portray the detective’s inexperience with complicated cases.

“I’m really just trying to put in the personality of the sergeant,” MacDonald says. “He’s supposed to be the detective trying to solve this case, but he doesn’t have much experience with a complex case like a murder mystery, so I’m trying to embody that more.”

All the while, Meredith Mills, the assistant stage manager, is working to make the production seamless. “Anytime you see an actor with a prop, that’s mostly behind-the-scenes work,” Mills said.

With its mix of suspense, humor and distinctive characters, CCHS’ upcoming production invites audiences to investigate alongside Sergeant Trotter. With every guest seemingly a suspect, the race is on for the audience to catch the killer before the final bow. 

Showtimes for Acton-Carlisle High School’s production of “The Mousetrap” are 7 p.m. October 29, 7 p.m. October 30, and 2 p.m. October 31. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for students/seniors at cc-theatre.org.