Film

The Mousetrap

• Drama

Agatha Christie's 1952 murder mystery, "The Mousetrap," presented by Lyric Arts Theatre, Anoka, Minnesota. Recorded on Thursday, March 10, 2022. No ownership claimed. This was filmed with an iPhone at the back of the theater--single shot and the sound quality is less than ideal. Just an archival video of a stage production. Cast: Sergeant Trotter/Sebastian Grim Mollie Ralston/Isabella Dunsieth Giles Ralston/Nick Furlong Christopher Wren/Andrew Newman Miss Casewell/Rachel Postle Mr. Paravicini/Raul Arambula Major Metcalf/David Coral Mrs. Boyle/Miriam Monasch Craig Johnson/Director Joe Black/Stage Manager Greg Vanselow/Set Samantha Fromm Haddow/Costumes Madeline Achen/Props Shannon Elliott/Lights Christy C. Johnson/Sound Director's Notes: This is the third production of "Mousetrap" I've worked on and I was quite satisfied with the results. The show sold remarkably well given the COVID-19 pandemic still present. No company members got sick (understudies were on hand). Lyric Arts performs in a handsome, converted movie theater space in downtown Anoka (A Minneapolis suburb)--about 220 seats. The theater is part of a trend in this area: stepping away from its community theater roots and offering actors modest stipends. Scenically, "Mousetrap" works best if you follow the ground plan and stage directions closely. Otherwise, the Clue-like layout of house and plot points can get problematic.