The Mousetrap

Very soon you will not have to travel to London's West End to see Agatha Christie's famous play 'The Mousetrap'! Whangarei's own Octagon Theatre has managed to obtain the performing rights, and will be presenting it from Thurs - Sunday, Sept 1st to 17th.

This exciting 'whodunnit' opened in 1952 with Richard Attenborough and Silvia Simms, and has been running continuously since. It is the longest-running play in the world history of theatre and, is being offered to the amateur theatre for a limited period of two years in celebration of it's forthcoming 60th year.

The Octagon Theatre is to set the play in the original period. An evening (and matinee) entertainment package is available, which includes a delicious 3 course (2 course matinee) themed meal in a warm ambient atmosphere followed by a fast paced tale-twisting thriller. See website for menu.

The setting is post-World War II England. Rationing is still in force, and people are slowly recovering from the austerity of five years of bitter conflict. A group of visitors staying in a newly opened rural guest house find themselves virtually cut off by a savage snowstorm. A brutal murder in London is suddenly brought to their doorstep, with the arrival of a police detective. His deduction is that one or more of the guests may be implicated, or in impending danger from a murderer bent on revenge. The diverse group is initially dismissive, and refuse to acknowledge a possible link to a terrible event that occurred nearby years earlier. That is, until the first murder.

This is gripping traditional theatre. The plot has more red herrings than a north sea trawler. Clues abound, and suspicion flits from character to character like a virulent dose of winter flu.

Directed by Richard Harris, with an accomplished cast and crew, it is an evening of delight not to be missed.

Tickets are limited, and may be purchased from Whangarei Suit Hire, Rust Avenue, 438 8135. www.octagontheatre.co.nz