Northwood’s fall play, “The Mousetrap” premiered last night, Oct. 19, and will continue to play tonight and tomorrow night. “The Mousetrap” by Agatha Christie is a murder mystery based in 1950s England following World War II. The story is set in a guesthouse, and the audience’s job is to figure out who the murderer is.
“This couple is starting a guesthouse, and they have all these guests coming in,” said junior Jesenia Schwankl, who plays Detective Sergeant Trotter. “At that time, [the guests] are getting the news of this murder. [Trotter] is just trying to figure out which person is going to be the next victim and which person is the murderer.”
Junior Abby Goyea, who plays Major Metcalf, hopes that the audience will receive the play well.
“I’m mostly excited this year for everyone to see the show and for everyone to be surprised and shocked and laugh a lot,” Goyea said.
For some, like freshman Caroline Butler, who plays Mrs. Boyle, this will be their first production at Northwood.
“I’m just really excited in general, because it’s my first production at Northwood, and everyone in the cast is so great,” Butler said. “The theatre community is super cool, and Mrs. Sharp is great. Tech and everyone is just amazing.”
As a tradition from “The Mousetrap” that ran on London’s West End, the audience is sworn to secrecy to not spoil who the murderer is. Theatre teacher Kayla Sharp will carry on this tradition in Northwood’s production.
“We ask the audience to take a vow at the end of the production saying they won’t spoil who the murderer is,” Sharp said. “We highly suggest that you not look it up, but rather be surprised.”
Butler hopes that the audience will be surprised.
“I hope [the audience] comes in without a lot of expectations because it is a murder mystery,” Butler said.
Goyea also has high hopes for the audience.
“I want you to know that you’re in for a wild ride,” Goyea said.
– By Madison Clark and Emma Quasny
