Directed by Danielle Storvik 

Assistant Directed by Ryan Vogel 

Stage Managed by Stephanie Long 

Preliminary Auditions:

Sunday, July 27th @ 6:30pm

Monday, July 28th @ 6:30pm 

Callbacks:

Tuesday, July 29th @ 6:30pm

(Invitation Only)

Audition Details:

Auditions will consist of cold reads from the script. Select sides are available early upon request by emailing the director at dstorvik1028@gmail.com. Headshots and resumes are welcome but not required.

Important Dates:

• Read through on August 3rd
• Rehearsals begin August 4th. Rehearsals will be Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 6:30-8:30pm. Wednesdays will be added in early September and rehearsal times will extend from 6:30-9:00pm at this time. A tentative preliminary rehearsal schedule is available upon request. Please contact the director via email (dstorvik1028@gmail.com) with any questions. 

Conflicts the week of September 15th must be discussed and approved by the director prior to read through. No conflicts will be accepted starting on September 21st and continuing through all performances. 

Performances:

Friday, September 26 @ 7:30pm

Saturday, September 27 @ 7:30pm

Sunday, September 28 @ 2pm

Friday, October 3 @ 7:30pm

Saturday, October 4 @ 7:30pm

Sunday, October 5 @ 2pm

Friday, October 10 @ 7:30pm

Friday, October 11 @ 7:30pm

Synopsis: 

"The Mousetrap" is a renowned play by Agatha Christie that has captivated audiences since its premiere in 1952. Set in the snowbound Monkswell Manor just outside of London, the story begins with the brutal murder of a woman on Culver Street, accompanied by the haunting nursery rhyme "Three Blind Mice." As new guests arrive at the manor, including a peculiar cast of characters, they soon find themselves trapped together due to a severe snowstorm. The atmosphere thickens as police investigate, revealing a dark connection between the guests and the murdered woman, related to a past case of child neglect.

As tensions rise, a detective-like figure arrives to uncover the truth, prompting a series of revelations and accusations among the guests. The play explores themes of good versus evil, mistaken identities, and the complexities of human nature.

Character Descriptions:

Every character is vital to the story and the unraveling of the mystery. This is very much an ensemble show.

Some age differences between characters are relevant to the story and the age ranges listed may shift based on auditionees. English accents required for all except Paravicini.

(Ages listed represents the approximate age of the character, not the actor.) 

Mollie Ralston (Early to late 30s) - Mollie Ralston is the young wife of Giles Ralston and the proprietor of Monkswell Manor. Despite knowing very little about the bed-and-breakfast business, she eagerly jumps into both business management and the household tasks of cooking and cleaning. Mollie is not as naive as she initially seems, especially when dealing with the difficult guest Mrs. Boyle or handling the oddball guest Christopher Wren. However, Mollie does have a mysterious past - revealed to have a possible connection with the murders of Longridge farm.

Giles Ralston (Late 30s - early 40s) - Giles Ralston is Mollie’s attentive and sometimes over-protective husband, managing Monkswell Manor alongside her. While Mollie attends to more of the household tasks, Giles works outside of their bed-and-breakfast establishment, chopping wood, chucking coal, and taking care of the hens. He is immediately suspicious of the young stranger Christopher Wren and argues against leaving Mollie alone with him. However, some of his actions arouse suspicion against him and what possible connections he could have with tragic events at Longridge Farm.

Christopher Wren (Late 20s) - Christopher Wren is the first guest to arrive at Monkswell Manor, the establishment owned by Giles and Mollie Ralston. He is a young man in his early twenties, described as having long, disheveled hair and eccentric ties. Christopher is quickly enamored with Monkswell Manor, exploring all rooms and furniture. He actively flirts with Mollie, much to Giles’ frustration, and then takes on the task of helping Mollie cook meals. Because of his eccentric nature, he is an immediate suspect in the mysterious murders connected to Longridge Farm.

Mrs. Boyle   (50s - 70s) - A former court magistrate, Mrs. Boyle is a pompous, pretentious woman who immediately presents herself as unlikeable and unsympathetic. She is quickly critical of Mollie and her ability to manage Monkswell Manor, and is in fact critical of the house itself. The younger guests - especially Miss Casewell and Christopher Wren - set out to antagonize her with great success. 

Major Metcalf  (40s - 60s) - Major Metcalf is a jovial and sporting man, retired from the army and always willing to lend a hand. Little else is known about him, but in his interactions, he generally tries to raise the spirits of those around them: he sees shoveling snow as good exercise and compliments the simple breakfast in spite of a fellow guest’s complaints. Like the other guests of Monkswell Manor, he holds a surprising secret to his identity.

Miss Casewell   (late 20s) - Described as “manly”, Miss Leslie Casewell arrives as an aloof guest at Monkswell Manor. She does not reveal much about her past, but in a conversation with proprietor Mollie Ralston, Miss Casewell advises ignoring psychiatrists and turning her back to the past. She is not afraid to manipulate people to get what she wants, but soon finds herself in a situation too overwhelming to manage.

Mr. Paravicini  (50s - 60s) - Mr. Paravicini is the mysterious and unexpected guest at Monkswell Manor, the last to arrive when his car overturns in a snow drift. He reveals very little about who he is or where he is from, instead enjoying his strange sense of mystery and putting others ill at ease.

Det. Sergeant Trotter (Late 20s) Sergeant Trotter arrives at snowed-in Monkswell Manor on skis, eager to find a person of interest connected with a murder in London the previous night. He also believes that a potential murder victim could be at Monkswell Manor, someone linked to the tragic Longridge Farm case of years past. He is abrasive and manipulative in his questioning, bordering on eccentric and myopic in his mission.