The Mousetrap

By
Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros
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A NoHo Arts theatre review of Los Angeles Pierce College’s The Mousetrap.
Chloe Saponara, Trevor Bowens and Ali Suliman in Agatha Christie's "The Mousetrap," on stage at LAPC Theatre through Oct. 27. Photo by Myraneli Fabian.

[NoHo Arts District, CA] –  A NoHo Arts theatre review of Los Angeles Pierce College’s The Mousetrap, written by Agatha Christie, and directed by Shaheen Vaaz.

I always enjoy driving up the hill in Pierce College toward the theatre at the very top, which overlooks the entire valley and makes you feel as if you are in another world entirely. I also know I will be in for a treat because every single play I have seen by these inspiring young actors has been thoroughly entertaining. 

A NoHo Arts theatre review of Los Angeles Pierce College’s The Mousetrap.
Essence Hardiman, Ali Suliman and Dale Van Slyke in Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap,” on stage at LAPC Theatre through Oct. 27. Photo by Myraneli Fabian.

Their latest offering is The Mousetrap…a particular favorite of mine and always so much fun to watch. It’s Agatha Christie of course and actually, as her only play, it became the longest-running play in history with over 30,000 performances. It’s a thriller set in an English country house in the middle of a snowstorm. Several guests arrive for the opening week of a newly renovated guest house by the young married couple of Mollie and Giles Ralston. who have no experience and no staff and since this is post-war England and everyone is still on rations, not much food. So as the guests show up and it becomes very clear to all that no one can leave until the snow melts, this disparate group of men and women, English and foreign must learn to get along. Or die trying.

A NoHo Arts theatre review of Los Angeles Pierce College’s The Mousetrap.
Trevor Bowens and Dale Van Slyke in Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap,” on stage at LAPC Theatre through Oct. 27. Photo by Myraneli Fabian.

To tell you much more of this sacrosanct and deeply English play would be sacrilegious! Suffice it to say, someone dies and no one knows who did it until the very last moment. Done well, this play is charming and funny and very, very clever. Thankfully the brilliant team at Pierce College Theatre Department really knows how to get the most from the best material and they do a brilliant job!

I even thought the English accents were good!

A NoHo Arts theatre review of Los Angeles Pierce College’s The Mousetrap.
Clyde Sandoval and Dylan Coogan in Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap,” on stage at LAPC Theatre through Oct. 27. Photo by Myraneli Fabian.

The performances are wonderful, heartfelt and genuine and the director’s lightest of touches bring out all the drama and give the actors the room they need to do a really excellent job! It’s all very tongue in cheek, although not at all campy. This is serious murder business…and Agatha Christie was the queen of the murder!

Do yourself a favor and go see this lovely adaptation of the longest-running play in history…you won’t be disappointed!  Loved it!!

A NoHo Arts theatre review of Los Angeles Pierce College’s The Mousetrap.
Chloe Saponara and Dale Van Slyke in Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap,” on stage at LAPC Theatre through Oct. 27. Photo by Myraneli Fabian.

Tickets:

https://www.lapiercecollegestore.com/shop_product_detail.asp?catalog_group_id=Ng&catalog_group_name=TGFwYyBUaWNrZXRz&catalog_id=57&catalog_name=VGhlIE1vdXNldHJhcCBCeSBBZ2F0aGEgQ2hyaXN0aWU&pf_id=173927&product_name=VGhlIE1vdXNldHJhcCBCeSBBZ2F0aGEgQ2hyaXN0aWU&type=1&target=shop_product_list.asp

When: 

October 18-27
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm (Please note these new curtain times) and Sundays at 2pm

Where: 

L.A. Peirce College

6203 Winnetka Ave., Woodland Hills, CA 91371-0001