The newest production to hit the stage at the Old Armory in Williston is a true classic and the world’s longest running play with 70 straight years of performances on London’s West End.
Entertainment, Inc! will hit the stage next week with Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap” for four straight days starting on Oct. 12, telling the whodunit murder mystery tale set in 1950’s Britain.
The scene is set with a group of strangers snowed in at a British manor house . To their horror, it is discovered that there is a murderer amongst them. The character’s pasts are revealed one by one until the identity and motive of the murderer are finally uncovered.
“The audience is constantly guessing and reguessing and pushing themselves of their choice,” said Sarah Favorite, the play’s director. “That’s the fun of it — you have to figure it out in the audience as well.”
Favorite was chosen as director, which is her third stint in the position, and is directing the eight-man cast. “The Mousetrap” cast includes Anna Nelson, Gio Johnson, Steve Johnson, Keni Johnson, Roger Holdeman, Thad Case, Melissa Drakeford and Christian Marshall. Managing the stage is Louisa Radigk.
Favorite suggests 12 years and older would be the targeted audience for the production.
“The play is a murder mystery, but it's not scary,” Favorite said. “The language is 1950’s British vernacular … I don’t think young ones would understand it.”
Agatha Christie adapted “The Mousetrap” in 1947 from the radio play “Three Blind Mice,” a story originally written by Christie for Queen Mary’s 8oth birthday. Christie is well known for many of her other works such as “Murder on the Orient Express” and “And Then There Were None.” “The Mousetrap” is the longest running play in the world, starting in 1952 and still going today.
Tickets go on sale on Oct. 5 — adults are $20, ages 7-12 are $10 and 4-6 year olds are free. Tickets can be purchased by phone at 701-577-3179 or at entertainmentinc.org/tickets.
The play will run Oct. 12-14 at 7 p.m. with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, Oct. 15.