The Mousetrap
at Justice High School

Reviewed on November 12, 2021

Bella LoBue
Stone Bridge High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

Running from the cold, running from the police, running from themselves. These are all themes embodied in the longest running play in the world. The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie, as tackled by Justice High School, showcased the collision of eight dynamic characters from all walks of life, as they were snowed in together on the night after a murder. Tensions rose as they were trapped in a bed and breakfast together, forced to confront their deepest secrets and the ultimate question: "Who is the cat, and who is the mouse?"

The show brought a wave of emotion; it began lighthearted and tame, and by the end of Act One crashed into full blown terror. This shift was highlighted by the change in lights, directed by Benny Ward, from the blue of the wind and snow outside to the deep red of blood. Murder happened on a dimly lit stage, where the only illumination came from the burgundy background and the smoldering fireplace. Details like these set an eerie ambiance to the scenes while also putting the audience on edge.

The many moments of suspense and tension were broken up by the comedy of peculiar characters and circumstances. Actor Valeria Peterson as Mr. Paravicini stood out as a master of these moments. She perfectly exemplified the Agatha Christie "suspicious" archetype through her lively physicality, commanding stage presence, subtle yet memorable gestures and mannerisms, and a not-so-subtle Italian accent. She also contributed to the tension of several scenes with her silly and offhand remarks. When Mr. Paravicini threw himself into fits of unprompted laughter, the audience never failed to join in.

Another notable detail was Justice's remarkable attention to era. Set in 1950s Britain, the set, paint designed by Henry Blaine, was decorated in period wallpaper and mid-century furniture. However, the true transportation to England happened through the accents performed by the entire cast. Each actor mastered the regional dialect without faltering even for a moment.

One aspect that made the show particularly interesting to watch was the staging. While utilizing only one set with no scene changes, the cast created a "fun house" effect by fluidly moving in and out of hallways and doors. Each scene had a brilliant display of stage pictures with tableaux of the ensemble scattered throughout the living room set. The ensemble's physical performances added moments of comedy and drama at various points.

Character relationships were evident through the actors' physicality. This nuance was especially important for Mollie Ralston, played by Sara Kaufman, who interacted with each suspect. The variety in her body language and mannerisms made it obvious how she felt about each character. Kaufman and her counterpart Elijah Kassa, who played her husband Giles Ralston, used physical choices to demonstrate their relationship and chemistry. It was a true delight to be a fly on the wall, observing their dynamic rapport with one another.

This take of The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie is an example of what happens when a cast is trapped, without performing live, for too long. The company of Justice High School's play upheld the long-standing prestige of The Mousetrap by captivating the audience and producing a truly special take on a murder mystery classic.

Nhi Nguyen
Annandale High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

"For nobody else gave me a thrill, with all your faults, I love you still; it had to be you." As a velvety voice echoed through a pitch-black theatre, a single spotlight illuminated the figure of a satin-clad diva singing her way across the stage. Justice High School brought the quintessentially British spirit of 1950s England to a high school auditorium in their production of Agatha Christie's play, The Mousetrap.

The Mousetrap is a classic Christie murder mystery. A newlywed couple open a bed & breakfast, Monkswell Manor, in the wake of a recent murder in London. Once their final guest has arrived, they realize that they have been snowed in. After one of the guests is mysteriously murdered, it comes to their attention that not only are they snowed in, but they are trapped in the manor with a murderer. Greeted with a cast of eccentric and uniquely charming characters, it is almost easy to forget that amongst them lies someone with not so savory intentions.

Though widely acclaimed as a play, The Mousetrap started off as a short story written by Agatha Christie in the 1950s under the name of "Three Blind Mice", as a gift to Queen Mary. It is the longest-running play in the history of London's West End, having completed its 27,500th performance in 2018.

Mollie and Giles Ralston, the owners of the inn, were played by Sara Kaufman and Elijah Kassa, who displayed heartwarming chemistry each time they were together on stage. Mr. Paravicini, played by Valeria Peterson, interacted simultaneously with the audience and the other characters with his all-knowing omniscience and self-awareness. Peterson's exaggerated physicality and endearing Italian accent created a character that made the audience laugh every time he was on stage. Sergeant Trotter, as played by Daniel Azcarate, went from a diligent police officer determined to investigate the murder at Monkswell to a crazed police officer fed up with the lack of cooperation from the guests. He developed this role through meaningful changes in his tone and body language.

Justice High School's decision to include the element of a radio program added a layer of depth to the world they created on stage. Though never directly connected to the murder story, the radio hosts added suspense and foreshadowing, as well as some smooth promos. The Gumdrop Sisters, played by Fay Khateeb, Heulwen Rowlands, Mireille Kouagou, and Scarlett Naquin, helped further develop the 1950s atmosphere through their songs and provided appreciated interludes.

The technical elements of this play were clearly thought out. The lighting elements were designed by Elizabeth Cheek and Benny Ward, who also operated the light board. The lighting design helped seal the atmosphere of the 1950s - an example being the yellowed spotlights aging the scenes with the radio hosts. Benny's design of the red eye lights for the murder scene created an eerie atmosphere and dramatic tonal shift to accompany an equally dramatic development in the plot. Sound was designed and operated by Ketan Kane-- an imperative role in a time when mics are crucial in order to be heard beneath a mask. Additionally, Ketan controlled the sound effects such as the ringing of the telephone and the volume of the radio, details that added to the ambiance as a whole.

A classic that entertained just as much as it thrilled; a whirlwind of romance, grief, and murder. Add in a healthy dose of humor and you've got The Mousetrap. The people, ding, the music, ding, and the mystery, ding, of Monkswell Manor are sure to stay with audiences long after the curtain has been drawn.

Hayley Asai
Quince Orchard High School
Submitted for publication to FCPS Community News

A young couple, a foreigner, an eccentric young man, an army major, a couple of mysterious women, and a murderer on the loose. Together with a peculiar band, they made up the characters of The Mousetrap, produced by Justice High School. In a play by the writer Agatha Christie, a bizarre array of guests at a British countryside inn were suddenly confined in a guesthouse together during a snowstorm while a murderer was hunted down. What ensued was a gripping and twisted tale that showcased insanity and revenge at their worst.

The show boasted a playfully energetic cast. While each character contributed to the tension of the mystery with admirable intent, there were a few members of the cast who created truly remarkable presentations.

The exuberant Mr. Paravicini, played by Valeria Peterson, showcased exceptional comedic timing along with a charming Italian accent. In striking contrast, the mysterious Miss Casewell, played by Sofia Hemmens, displayed an exquisite and nuanced array of facial expressions and a sharp stride. Hemmens' character choices were perfectly suited for the thrilling nature of a murder mystery and were imperative in retaining the show's suspense and wit. Detective Sergeant Trotter, played by Daniel Azcarate, undoubtedly rounded out the cast. Throughout the show, Azcarate's character remained strong and consistent. As the show ran along with drama, Azcarate had increasingly distinctive moments to highlight brilliant and emotional outbursts that made the show.

Though all the actors' performances should be applauded for their efforts and skill, Sara Kaufman, who played Mollie Ralston, managed to vigorously distinguish themselves from the cast. Kaufman brought a down-to-earth kindhearted nature to their character. Kaufman's presentation of Mollie was a testament to the natural variation present in unique human interactions between different people. Ralston's self-assurance yet kindness demanded the attention of the audience. The nuances to Kaufman's performance are an indicator of both an excellent character and an excellent actor.

Still, the subliminal finishing touch of the show that united the production was the lighting design. The lighting was designed by Ketan Kane and Henry Blaine, who must be praised due to the spectacular scenes they helped create. Overall, the lighting made no compromise of quality to the show. The lighting team was responsible for the overhead lights that shone brightly during the day and slowly darkened at night. During the first dramatic sequence, the lights flashed to a low red before cutting out completely to fit within the established tone. To segue to the radio portions of the show, the lighting designers used warm golden spotlights that instantly transported the audience back to a golden era in time.

When Agatha Christie wrote The Mousetrap, she predicted it would run for only a couple of months. Instead, it became the longest-running play in the world, running continuously from 1952 to 2020. Much like the original run of The Mousetrap, Justice High School's production is a triumph of remarkable acting amidst a season of audience members' returns to live theatre. Enthralling and hysterical, it was a spectacle to behold and surely left the audience gripping their armrests, as they sat on the edge of their seats.

Hayden Polsky
Quince Orchard High School
Submitted for publication to Patch (Fairfax/Alexandria)

There's a reason that Agatha Christie's play "The Mousetrap" is the longest-running play in the world. Filled with suspense, drama, and more twists and turns than a windy road in rural England, it keeps the audience on the edges of their seats, begging the performers for more. Certainly, this play is a daunting risk for any theatre company, let alone a high school program. Nevertheless, Justice High School took this risk head-on in their recent production of the thrilling murder mystery and put on a spectacular production of the complex play.

Set in 1950s Britain, Christie's story followed Mollie and Giles Ralston (the exceptional Sara Kaufman and Elijah Kassa, respectively), the owners of a small guest house in the middle of nowhere. They first discussed the recent news of a murder in their area - but how could that be connected to them? On the cold, blizzard night, five guests arrived - a young Christopher Wren (played by the charming Aimen Leja), a strict Mrs. Boyle (the chilling yet humorous Charlotte Aguilera), Major Metcalf (the forceful Diego Salazar Jara), a sarcastic Miss Casewell (the brilliant Sofia Hemmens), and the surprise latecomer Mr. Paravicini (the hysterical Valeria Peterson). Things started out normal enough, but when one of the seven was brutally murdered, it became clear that something strange was afoot, and Detective Sergeant Trotter (the superb Daniel Azcarate) arrived to investigate these strange events, and the possible connections they had to the group.

The cast of this production was simply fantastic. Kaufman, as the shaken Mollie, performed the role with ease and a sense of authenticity that most professional actors struggle to find. Peterson stole every scene as the dashing Italian stranger and had the audience in tears of laughter multiple times. Hemmens, as Miss Casewell, perfectly captured the peculiarity of the role, forcing the audience to question everything they thought they knew about the plot. Most importantly, the whole cast spent the entire play working as an ensemble, developing their characters in the context of their relationships with others onstage. Not one performer seemed anxious about taking on such a famous play. Furthermore, it was obvious that each actor made their performance their own, instead of attempting to copy one of the surely thousands of performers who have played these roles.

It was hard to pinpoint the strongest aspect of Justice's production, as nearly everything about it went above and beyond what is to be expected of a high school play. The audience was delivered professional quality performances from each actor, a perfectly charming set, and a behind-the-scenes crew (led by stage managers Elizabeth Cheek and Cate Pringle) that worked so efficiently the audience was completely oblivious to their existence. Each light and sound cue was clean, and Ketan Kane and Benny Ward's lighting design helped to convey the creepy atmosphere, especially during the murder sequences.

Altogether, this show was as charming as possible. The audience was thoroughly transported into the characters' world, and the production kept everyone guessing at the answer to the mystery so perfectly portrayed by the company. Each aspect of the show worked in harmony with the next, providing the audience with a genuine murder mystery experience that left them gasping when secrets were finally revealed.

Penelope Wagner
Wakefield High School
Submitted for publication to Insidenova - Sun Gazette

Murder! Intrigue! Mystery! What could be more exciting than that? How about a surprise-twist ending that has captivated audiences for nearly 70 years?! You can find all this and more in Justice High School's production of "The Mousetrap," a dynamic show that kept the audience on the edge of their seats for the entire performance.

Written by murder-mystery icon Agatha Christie, "The Mousetrap" is an enthralling story about a group of strangers trapped by a snowstorm in a newly opened guest house. They soon discover there is a murderer among them and must reveal their pasts one-by-one to find the true killer. Originally opened in London's West End in 1952, "The Mousetrap" is the world's longest-running play and ran until March 16, 2020.

During a heavy snowstorm, five guests arrived, each with their own dynamic personality. These guests, plus the detective-sergeant and the owners of the guest house, individually brought a great deal to the play. But Justice's performance would not be what it was without the radio players. These actors who periodically portrayed voices on the radio throughout the show, gave helpful information and updates about the snowstorm and the murderer on the loose to the audience. They also brought joy into the theater with three lighthearted musical performances that impressed the audience while also capturing the feel of the 1950s.

"The Mousetrap" is a play that requires a great ensemble of characters who must play off one another while also stand out in their own ways. There were multiple performances worth noting. Sara Kaufman had the hard job of portraying Mollie Ralston, the co-owner of the guest house. However, Kaufman conquered the challenging role as she had a strong stage presence, and a likable personality in every scene. Another actor who made an impact on the stage was Daniel Azcarate as Detective Sergeant Trotter. Azcarate brought an impressively realistic and versatile portrayal as the Sergeant, who was determined to discover the identity of the murderer.

While this show had a more serious and dramatic tone, its comedic moments could not be ignored. Many of these fantastic instances were provided by the character of Mr. Paravicini played by Valeria Peterson, who had superb comedic timing. Also notable was Sofia Hemmens' touching performance as Miss Casewell. Sofia expertly provided a guarded character who slowly broke down as act two progressed.

"The Mousetrap" wouldn't be as good of a production if it were not for the expertise of the stage managers (Elizabeth Cheek, Cate Pringle, Ketan Kane, Benny Ward) who made sure the show ran smoothly and who managed the lighting and sound cues. Also contributing their part was the lighting and sound crew team of Ketan Kane, Benny Ward, Ava Feldstein, Amira Mohamed. These students showed impressive skills in lighting techniques and handled the simple but important job of making sure everyone was heard.

Transporting the audience back to 1950s England, Justice's remarkable production of "The Mousetrap" was humorous, engaging, and left audiences with a memory they'll never forget.

Sabrina Robles
Woodbridge Senior High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

"Oh, I like murder." is what Justice High School was thinking when they decided to put on their production of The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie this November.

The Mousetrap opened on London's West End in 1952 and ran continuously until the March 2020 COVID-19 shut down. It holds the record for the longest initial running of any play. It is based off a radio play written as a present for Queen Mary, titled "Three Blind Mice". Agatha Christie changed the name when she adapted it into a play. The Mousetrap is a comedic murder mystery that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.

The play began with the radio informing the audience about the murder of a woman named Maureen Lyon. When the lights on stage came up, the scene was then set at the Monkswell Manor in England, run by Mollie and Giles Ralston. Over the course of the evening, five guests arrived: Christopher Wren, Mrs. Boyle, Major Metcalf, Miss Casewell, and Mr. Paravicini. As they each arrived, a blizzard rolled in, trapping them in the manor. It was then that a police sergeant arrived, claiming the murderer of Maureen Lyon was in the manor, and that they could all be the next victim. From there an investigation began, with everyone as a possible suspect. As the case unfurled, everyone had secrets revealed while they raced to solve the case before another murder occurred.

Mollie Ralston, portrayed by Sara Kaufman, was an excellent hostess of the Monkswell Manor. Kaufman did amazing work with the character. Her vocal and physical choices were consistently authentic. It was as though Kaufman was Mollie, rather than just playing her. Her characterization proved a deep understanding of the character. Mollie was a fitting balance between all the guests, with her characteristics changing to bounce off the others. Kaufman made slight inflection and physicality changes to show how the relationships with each character differed. The strongest relationship was between Mollie and Giles, her husband. Giles Ralston, portrayed by Elijah Kassa, had stirring chemistry with Kaufman. Kassa and Kaufman interacted with each other in a way that seemed effortlessly natural. The emotions that they invoked in each other were unmistakable through their body language and vocal variety.

Mr. Paravicini, portrayed by Valeria Peterson, had an extravagant stage presence. The physicality of Paravicini was always high energy and filled the entire theatre. From the large, enthusiastic gestures to the liveliness of his walk, Peterson's Paravicini kept the audience excited and eager. Wearing a face mask was no hindrance to Peterson, for the grandness of the physicality had the audience feeling like they were seeing every facial expression on Mr. Paravicini's face. Peterson made tonal and inflection choices that constantly kept the audience engrossed in the mystery. Peterson commanded the stage like no other.

The lighting, done by Elizabeth Cheek and Benny Ward, was integral to the storytelling. There was a constant blue colored light shining on the cyclorama that helped represent the blizzard occurring outside, which was especially helpful considering the audience only ever saw the inside of one room in the manor. When the murderer came to claim their next victim, the colored light shifted to red. The red added to the fear, violence, and danger the murderer invoked.

The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie is the perfect balance of comedy and mystery, and Justice High School's portrayal of Christie's work is not one to be missed.

Morgan Milman
Annandale High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

As the first show of the season for many Cappies critics, Justice High School's production of The Mousetrap was quite the enthralling show to kick off the season. Set in 1950s post-war England, a quaint couple, Mollie and Giles, who are running a bed and breakfast inn suddenly hear some terrifying news about a recent murder that causes them to re-think everything they think they know about each other and the guests that come to stay with them.

Justice High School's theatre program had originally planned to perform The Mousetrap last year while schools and shows ran virtually. They faced issues in performing it on film due to licensing restrictions. Nevertheless, Justice students pulled through to this year to bring audiences The Mousetrap live, in person.

Each actor in the production clearly displayed a thorough understanding of the story and knew their characters well. The chemistry between characters Mollie and Giles Ralston, played by Sara Kaufman and Elijah Kassa, was very compelling and convincing. They embodied themselves as newlyweds, argued like newlyweds, and had a general closeness onstage that demonstrated their commitment to each other. Kaufman had an excellent stage presence during the play that showed she was truly a part of her character and obviously dedicated to the show. The character of Mr. Paravicini, played by Valeria Peterson, was priceless, entertaining, and essential. With the use of a thick Italian accent, so starkly different from the middle-class British accents of all the other characters, Valeria made her character stick out. Delivery of every line, serious or humorous, was perfectly timed and spoken. Through the suspicious looks and pauses from the character, the murder mystery further tangled itself in a web of mistrust and confusion. Daniel Azcarate's portrayal of Detective Sergeant Trotter was simply impeccable. Daniel used varying theatrical techniques such as inflection and body language to show just how far he could go with the character and their development throughout. Meanwhile, Miss Casewell, played by Sofia Hemmens, was quite the soft-spoken and reserved character throughout the majority of the play but brought great surprise when she exploded with emotion after a scene with the Sergeant. This showed Hemmens' skill at developing her character. As a whole, the cast was heard easily, despite the challenge of wearing masks on stage, which indicated their excellent projection and diction.

The technical elements of the show were very clean and well-timed. The use of yellow-colored spotlights during radio show scenes added immensely to the aging of the play, given that it was set in the 1950s. The lighting, done by Elizabeth Cheek and Benny Ward, on the back curtain was blue during most of the show most likely to represent the snowstorm but changed abruptly to red when danger was near, which showed great attention to detail. The lighting was also used well when the lights on the stage dimmed gradually to show the sun setting outside of the inn. Amazing attention was given to the props as well, featuring dated magazines and furniture to match the time period.

A beautiful display of mystery, betrayal, family and even young love, Justice High School took this show by the horns and made it their own. The cast and crew alike should be very proud of what they put on the stage. The Mousetrap was an edge-of-the-seat, captivating performance that should not be missed.