"The Mousetrap" - by Agatha Christie - Theatre Of Northeastern Connecticut at the Bradley Playhouse (Putnam, CT) - REVIEW
(Cover Photo: LaDelle P. Arnold as “Mrs. Boyle” with William Corriveau as “Major Metcalf” in a scene from Agatha Christie's "THE MOUSETRAP," now playing at the Bradley Playhouse in Putnam, CT. through October 25, 2026. Photo Courtesy TNECT)
By Kevin T. Baldwin
METRMAG Reviewer
# 774-242-6724
“Yes. The unexpected guest. The guest that you did not invite. The guest who just arrived…from nowhere…out of the storm.”
- ("Mr. Paravicini") / Agatha Christie
Theatre Of Northeastern Connecticut, Inc.
at the Bradley Playhouse
Presents Agatha Christie's
"THE MOUSETRAP"
Written by Agatha Christie
Co-Directed by William Corriveau and Kathleen Atwood
Assistant Director Victoria Ravenswood
Cast Includes: Sarah Oschmann as “Mollie Ralston,” Huw Carter as “Giles Ralston,” Ren Fontes as “Christopher Wren,” LaDelle P. Arnold as “Mrs. Boyle,” William Corriveau as “Major Metcalf,” Leela Pahl as “Miss Casewell,” Preston Arnold as “Mr. Paravicini,” Graysen Mortimer as “Det. Sergeant Trotter.”
Additional Creative Team:
Stage Manager - Kerrissa Cobb; Assistant Stage Manager - William Alexson; AC Liaison - Greg Brock; Production Manager - Jeanne Foley; Assistant Production Manager - Carol Schimmelpfennig; Production Coordinator - Kathleen Atwood; Set Design - William Corriveau; Scenic Artists - Diana Lee, Maria Bessette, Amanda Bessette, Heather (Bessette) Howard, Jasmine Gervais, Sandy Lazarou, Georgianna Bussey.
Performances:
October 9, 2026 through October 25, 2026
(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)
THE BRADLEY PLAYHOUSE, 30 Front Street (Route 44) in Putnam, CT. 06260-1942
TICKETS:
All seats reserved. Reservations may be made with a major credit card online at www.thebradleyplayhouse.org or by calling 860-928-7887.
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(Warning: The following review contains spoilers)
An October mystery treat comes courtesy of the Theatre of Northeastern Connecticut (TNECT) at the Bradley Playhouse as they present Agatha Christie’s most successful play, "THE MOUSETRAP" now playing in Putnam, CT.
This is an enjoyable Agatha Christie production even if the story itself shows its age.
And yet, as with any good Christie mystery, even if you have seen the show before and know the outcome, the joy still comes from the storytelling, and the story is well conveyed by the folks at TNECT.
Set in the fictitious “Great Hall of Monkswell Manor,” in Berkshire, England, "THE MOUSETRAP" is inspired by the actual court case of Dennis O'Neill.
O’Neill died after he and his brother, Terence, endured tremendous (and ultimately fatal for Dennis) abuse while in foster care with a Shropshire farmer and his wife in 1945.
The murder mystery was originally presented in 1947 as a radio play entitled “Three Blind Mice,” written by Christie as a birthday gift for Queen Mary, consort of King George V.
By the way - that “earworm” of a tune figures significantly in the TNECT play.
In 1952, the play opened in London’s West End under its current name "THE MOUSETRAP."
"THE MOUSETRAP" achieved a Guinness World Records certificate for longest theatrical run, still holding the record as longest-running West End show (with over 30,000 performances as of 2025), also making it the longest running play in the world.
As the TNECT show begins, Monkswell Manor is a recently converted guesthouse run by a young couple, Mollie (Sarah Oschmann) and Giles Ralston (Huw Carter).
The two actors are quite effective as the proprietors.
Sarah Oschmann is charming as Mollie, whom we instantly connect with as she listens to a radio report about the murder of a woman in London with police searching for the murderer.
Carter is unswerving in his performance as her husband Giles, a partner which Mollie trusts and relies upon greatly…but soon that trust and reliance become tested as the story unfolds.
Detective Sergeant Trotter of the Berkshire Police (Graysen Mortimer) arrives at the guesthouse during a snowstorm on skis.
Mortimer is quite good as Trotter, who explains he has been sent regarding the murder of the victim, “Maureen Lyon,” and begins questioning the Ralstons and their lodgers.
The guesthouse becomes the focal point of the murder investigation with a plethora of potential suspects.
Christopher Wren (Ren Fontes) is the first of the lodgers/suspects to which we are introduced.
Fontes presents Wren (named after the famed historical architect) as an agitated young man who acts suspicious, admitting he is running away from something, but refuses to say what.
We are also introduced to the mysterious and aloof traveler Miss Casewell (Leela Pahl).
Pahl gives a remarkable portrayal of Casewell, a character intentionally given a “masculine” appearance by author Christie to immediately draw suspicion.
The intent works, but also perhaps unintended by the author, the attributes today provides a dimension to the character that would have some viewing it through a completely different lens.
Mrs. Boyle (LaDelle Arnold) is the ultimate snob – completely judgmental and pleased by nothing she observes.
LaDelle Arnold splendidly showcases Boyle as a catalyst for Christie’s main plot, also serving as a physical representation of past societal negligence on the part of the family welfare system.
(Photo: Preston Arnold as “Mr. Paravicini” with Sarah Oschmann as “Mollie Ralston” in a scene from Agatha Christie's "THE MOUSETRAP," now playing at the Bradley Playhouse in Putnam, CT. through October 25, 2026. Photo Courtesy TNECT)
Mr. Paravicini (Preston Arnold) is another suspect, claiming his car overturned in a drift.
Preston Arnold gives a deliberately subversive performance as Paravicini sports an outlandish foreign accent and wears theatrical make-up.
The final suspect at the guesthouse is retired Army Major Metcalf (William Corriveau) as little is known about the man.
Corriveau, who also co-directed the TNECT play with Kathleen Atwood, gives a fine performance as Metcalf who becomes a calming, grounded presence amid the chaos that follows.
Metcalf discovers that the landline has been cut with everyone now stranded at the guesthouse due to a snowstorm…together with a potential murderer.
Even the Rawlstons themselves become potential suspects.
We soon discover how Mrs. Lyon and her husband abused three foster children in their care which resulted in the youngest's death.
Trotter says the police suspect Lyon’s murderer is the eldest Corrigan boy, now an adult.
Trotter divulges how a notebook at the murder scene contained the address of Monkswell Manor and the words "Three Blind Mice" and that, pinned on Lyon’s corpse, was a note stating "This is the First."
Paravicini, seemingly amused, deliberately teases everyone (especially Mollie) by humming and playing “Three Blind Mice” - the murderer's tune.
(Photo: LaDelle P. Arnold as “Mrs. Boyle” with William Corriveau as “Major Metcalf” in a scene from Agatha Christie's "THE MOUSETRAP," now playing at the Bradley Playhouse in Putnam, CT. through October 25, 2026. Photo Courtesy TNECT)
As the collective TNECT performances illustrate, this was arguably Christie at her literary best, which is the most likely explanation for this play’s enduring performance legacy even after so many decades.
The TNECT single set construct on the Bradley Playhouse stage works extremely well for the many arrivals and departures in and out of the guesthouse, including unanticipated “final departures” as murder and mayhem finds its way to the lodge.
As the investigation continues, between all the suspects, secrets and subplots at Monkswell Manor, the sheer volume of plot twists and turns taking place in this particular "MOUSETRAP" become enough to make anyone’s head spin, prompting much needed chiropractic help by the play’s conclusion.
Agatha Christie's "THE MOUSETRAP," continues from TNECT at the Bradley Playhouse until October 25th, 2026.
Just in time for the holidays from TNECT will be the heartwarming “IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE" beginning at the Bradley Playhouse December 4th and running through December 205th, 2026.
For tickets and more information, visit www.thebradleyplayhouse.org or call # 860-928-7887.
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Approximately two hours with one intermission.
Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)
@MetrmagReviews
@Theatre_Critics
ABOUT THE SHOW
Agatha Christie's "THE MOUSETRAP" is a timeless “whodunnit" which strands seven strangers at Monkswell Manor during a blizzard.
But a police sergeant unexpectedly arrives, worried that a murderer-at-large is among the guests of the Manor.
Before he can investigate, one of the guests is killed, starting an investigation into the lives and histories of everyone there.
One of them is the killer, and another one of them may be next. Will the police be able to solve the case before another “mouse” falls?
The world’s longest continuously running play for over 60 years, Agatha Christie's "THE MOUSETRAP" continues to delight and intrigue mystery lovers of all ages (STAGEAGENT).
ABOUT THE BRADLEY PLAYHOUSE
THE BRADLEY PLAYHOUSE is a 117 year-old vaudeville theatre in the heart of the Putnam antiques and restaurant district in the “Quiet Corner” of Northeastern Connecticut. Since 1991, THE BRADLEY PLAYHOUSE has been managed by the volunteers of The Theatre of Northeastern Connecticut, Inc. (TNECT).
ABOUT THEATRE OF NORTHEASTERN CONNECTICUT (TNECT)TNECT produces eight main season shows per year and a number of special fundraising events for The Bradley Playhouse Restoration Fund. TNECT’s mission is to produce and sponsor quality theatre and entertainment for the residents of Northeastern Connecticut and the surrounding areas, to encourage the development of creativity through the support of local artists, and to support education and hands-on experience in the creation, direction, and production of theatre and the performing arts.
30 Front Street
P.O. Box # 71
Putnam, CT. 06260-1942
