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The Citizen, 1992-07-15, Page 23THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 15,1992. PAGE 23. Theatre review Mousetrap, a must-see for mystery lovers A '\vhodunit" From left to right: Guy Sanvido as Mr. Paravicini, Rona Waddington as Molly Ralston, and Michael Millar as Giles Ralston in Agatha Christie's famous "whodunit" mystery The Mousetrap playing at the Huron Country Playhouse, (picture by Brian Richman) BY LARRY CARDIFF Everyone loves a good mystery and Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap is perhaps one of the best ever written. It is no wonder that the play has the distinction of being the longest running play in the history of the theatre for Miss Christie has long been established as the ‘Grand Dame’ of English Characters search for answers continued from page 22 unique as they are typical; Dave the touring sideroad philosopher; the Reeve suffering from paranoid delusions; the teenage girl in the restaurant who wants something more out of life; and the exasperated mechanic. None of them are happy where they are in life, and they, like the D.J., are searching for answers where there perhaps really isn't any. Mr. Johns takes us on a journey where nothing is sacred; politics, religion or social gatherings. Family reunions are compared to “barbaric tribal rituals” and garage sales to “the Sargasso Sea into where all things go and return again.” By the end of it all, the radio D.J. is no longer confined by the songs and commercials. He has finally discovered that we are all alone and need to be aware of that public life which blankets everyone's private life. In his journey he has been touched by those webs of privacy that bind people together. Back Up and Push is perhaps a sarcastic look at the realism governing our lives and the mundane problems of the world, but it is a lot of laughs and a comical look at our friends, neighbours and ourselves. The moral Mr. Johns offers us is to preserve those little social webs in all the ways we build them, for they are as important to our culture as they are to us individually. Buck & Doe for Jeff Vincent & Kari Martene Friday, July 17 8:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m. at Stanley Township Complex D.J. 3 Neat Guys Age of majority required parlour mysteries. In 1947, Miss Christie adapted her short radio play Three Blind Mice for the stage, calling it The Mousetrap. Since then it has been performed in 41 countries and is the only play to outlive its author in live performances. The play, which is presently playing at the Huron County Playhouse, is directed by Vernon Chapman. With 242 productions to his credit, Mr. Chapman is one of Canada's most experienced directors. The play is set in 1952 England, in the great hall of Monkswell Manor, a mere 30 miles from where a woman has been discovered murdered in London. The unknown assailant, dressed in a man's overcoat, hat and scarf, has escaped and is believed to have fled London. The play opens with the return of Mollie and Giles Ralston, as portrayed by Rona Waddington and Michael Millar, the young proprietors of the remote guest house. Due largely to the strong performances of both Ms. Waddington and Mr. Millar, the Ralstons appear quite charming with their elaborate actions and - great facial expressions. Amidst a blinding snowstorm the Ralstons' guests soon begin arriving one by one. These lodgers are as eccentric as they are suspicious. The first to arrive is Christopher Wren, as played by Jody Radicot, a queer young man who is comical and quite outspoken. Mr. Radicot gives a colourful and energizing performance as the schizophrenic Wren who mocks and plays upon the fears of the others. His character is important to the play and I believe it’s a safe assumption to say that he was nearly everyone's favourite character. The next to arrive on the scene is a former magistrate, Mrs. Boyle, brilliantly portrayed by veteran performer Anne Butler. Mrs. Boyle is a sour elderly woman who is more than a bit obnoxious. John Gardiner, as Major Metcalfe, arrives shortly after. A sombre, reserved gentleman, he is the very image of a retired English military man. Miss Casewell, as portrayed by Barbara Stewart, is the last of the expected guests to arrive. Miss Casewell is a peculiarly stressful individual, who just happens to dress like a man. But there are two more unexpected guests to arrive upon the scene. The first is Mr. Paravicini, as portrayed by veteran actor Guy Sanvido, a mysterious gentleman whose car has overturned in the snow storm. The second is Detective Sergeant Trotter, as performed by Robert Hawke, a tactless and arrogant young policeman. Our first glimpse of him is through the great hall window as he skis into view. Sergeant Trotter has arrived to announce that the London murderer is hiding among them and may strike again, and that now because of the storm they are completely cut off. Shortly, thereafter, the phone lines are discovered to be dead. The plot is set and all the suspects are present, trapped within the grandeur of Monkswell Manor. As Mr. Ralston comments to her husband “all our guests do appear unpleasant or odd”, and every one of them docs appear to be hiding something about themselves or their past. There are plenty of doubts cast in all directions, and even the Ralstons are not above suspicion. Needless to say there is another murder amongst the guests, brilliantly executed in the darkened great hall with only a small glow from the fireplace lighting the scene. D’Arcy Poultney must be congratulated for his elaborate set design. The great hall was quite impressive with its lavish oak paneling and fireplace. The scenery of trees and falling snow, and the evening blue flow seen through the great hall window was most beautiful and quite effective to setting the atmosphere. Who did it? Well it kept me guessing with its great plot twists and character exposures. As Sergeant Trotter declares to Mr. Happy 14 th Jenn Szusz Love Casey and Paula GRADUATION Cathy Badley, nee Smith, of Blyth graduated from Festival School of' Hairstyling in Stratford. Cathy is employed by a stylist in Wingham. Patricia Smith graduated from the Conestoga College from Teacher's Assistant program. Proud of you both! Love, Mom & Dad - Harry & Grace Smith of Ethel. 25th Anniversary GORDON & BERNICE GROSS The family of Gordon and Bernice Gross invites you to join them In celebrating their parents* silver anniversary at Blyth Community Centre, Saturday, July 18, 1992, 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Best Wishes Only. Colquhoutt-^Ten Tas The parents are pleased to announce the forthcoming marriage of their children, Carol, daughter of Mary Ten Pas, Brussels and the late Albert Ten Pas and Sean, son of Allan and Jalna Colquhoun of Listowel, Ont. The wedding will take place Saturday, July 18, 1992 at 3:00 p.m. at Melville Presbyterian Church, Brussels, Ont. Paravicini “Murder isn't just fun and games”, but I couldn't disagree more, for The Mousetrap is a lot of laughs and a whole lot of fun. In true Agatha Christie style, The Mousetrap is a masterfully written play with exceptional cast performances and humorous thriller appeal. It definitely is a ‘must see’ for mystery lovers. the Blyth Iw 523-9381 THURSDAY NIGHT IS WING NIGHT 5 P.M. - MIDNIGHT WINGS 35c EACH MINIMUM ORDER 10 a variety of sauces available Wings available for take out at regular price of 50e each. THURS., FRI., & SAT. 5 P.M. - MIDNIGHT WINGS & CHIPS $5.45 EAT IN OR TAKE OUT THURS., FRI. & SAT. NITES PIZZA 5 P.M. - MIDNIGHT EAT IN OR TAKE OUT ENTERTAINMENT Island Wave July 17 & 18 Happy 25th Anniversary Mom and Dad (July 15) Love Kriss, Craig and Nikki In honour of Bev and Cliff Snell's 25th wedding anniversary, their families invite you to attend a come and go, to be held in the backyard of Bev and Cliff's home between the hours of 2 and 4 p.m. on July 19th. Best Wishes Only!