Analysis:

Title: The Mouse Trap

Synopsis:

The play beings with the Ralstons busy preparing their manor for their guest.

They have acquired Monkswell Manor from the inheritance of an Aunt. Deciding to open

it up as a guest as a means of making good money. Never having run a hotel they are

apprehensive but determined. Mrs. Ralston (Molly) turns on the wireless radio and is

informed a murder in London. The victim is Mrs. Lyon. The Guest arrive in order:

Christopher Wren a young neurotic young architect. Mrs. Boyle a large imposing woman

of a bad temper, Major Metcalf a middle aged man with a military demeanor, Miss.

Casewell a mannish young woman. A stranger rings the bell Mr. Paravicini asks for a

place to stay after overturning his car in a snowdrift; the Ralstons agree to let him rent a

room. The inclement weather has made their arrival difficult, as well as trapping them all

there in the house.

Tensions begin to grow and we learn of the odd nature of the guest. The

telephone rings and Molly picks up the phone. It is Scotland Yard they inform Mrs.

Ralston that they are sending a Sergeant Trotter to come and investigate but won’t say

why. She remarks about the inclemency of the weather but they insist. A conversation

between Molly and Chris and then Molly Mrs. Boyle lead to a notion that Chris may not

be who he says he is. Further more a conversation between Molly and Paravicini makes

note of how she really doesn’t know anything about the guest in her home. Trotter arrives

on skies, and informs everyone that he is there to investigate about the murder of Mrs.
Lyon and what connection there might be at the house and it’s guest. We learn at the

murder scene that there is a note book left with two addresses, the victims and Monkswell

Manor. We also learn the Mrs. Lyon was not actually Mrs. Lyon but rather Mrs. Maureen

Stanning. She was involved in a the abuse of three children given to their care by the

government after they parent were not fit to care for them anymore. Monkswell Manor is

not far from Longridge farm where the abuse and eventual death of one of the children

took place. Attached to the body of the victim was a drawing of three mice and the bars

of music to the three blind mice.

During Trotter investigation of the guest and house Molly finds Mrs. Boyle dead

in the Living room having been straggled same as the other victim. The Only thing herd

was the whistled tune of the three blind mice. Trotter continues his investigation. We

learn that Mrs. Boyle was magistrate who was responsible for sending the children to the

farm. Christopher Wren we find out is not who he says he is but rather an army deserter,

which matches perfectly with the killer identity. Being accused by trotter Molly stands up

for Chris convinced of his innocence. Miss Casewell and Trotter have a conversation

where her full name brings something to Trotter’s mind. Miss. Casewell notices

something odd about Trotter and how he twirls his hair; they seem to know each other.

Trotter attempt to replay the crime of the murder of Mrs. Boyle in an attempt to

determine which of the guest is the murder. He has everyone play another role of a

different guest and has them replay the event in order. Trotter takes the place of Mrs.

Boyle and begins the sequence. He calls Molly into the hall. It is just the two of them.

Trotter closes all the doors and imforms her that he is the killer. Molly was the

schoolteacher to the children while they were at the farm. Georgie sent her a letter
describing they abuse, but the letter was set aside due to Molly being ill. She having

found the letter weeks later felt guilty all these years. Georgie all grown up and planned

this all out and plans on killer Molly. He killed the Mrs. Lyon the farmer’s wife, Mrs.

Boyle the magistrate responsible for their being there and now Molly for not helping to

save them. Trotter attempts to strangle Molly but is saved by Miss. Casewell who is the

lost sister to Georgie and third child of the Longridge farm case. She calms him down

and sedates him. Major Metcalf come to find out was a police officer in disguise sent by

Scotland Yard. Mrs. Ralston and Mr. Make up after realizing their accusation of each

other were unmerited. The play ends with Mrs. Ralston realizing her pie was burning in

the oven and runs to the kitchen to save dinner.

Genre: Murder Mystery

Theme: Looks can be deceiving.

Possible themes: In a murder everyone is a suspect. Everyone has secrets.

Characters:

Mrs. Boyle (She is a large imposing woman in a very bad temper)

Mrs. Casewell, (She is a young woman of a manly type and carries a case. She has a long

dark coat a light scarf and no hat.)

Mr. Paravicini (He is foreign and dark and elderly with a rather flamboyant moustache.

His is a slightly taller edition of Hercule Poitoy, which may give a wrong impression to

the audience. He wears a heavy fur lined overcoat.)

Mr. Giles Ralston (He is rather arrogant but attractive you man in his twenties)

Mrs. Molly Ralston (She is a tall, pretty young woman with an ingenious air, in her

twenties)

Major Metcalf (is a middle aged squared shoulder man, very military in manner and

bearing.)

Detective Sergeant Trotter

Mr. Christopher Wren (He is rather wild looking neurotic young man. His hair is long

and untidy and he wears a woven artistic tie. He has a confiding almost childish manner.)

Max on Stage: 8

Mood: Suspicion – A Riddle

Signs or Symbols:

Doors and Many Exist: Something by which you leave, escape; all the characters are

running from something.

Radio: A means of information gathering; the whole murder is all about obtaining news

and information of people’s history and where-abouts. It also heralds back to the play

originating a radio drama.

The Tune of the “Three Blind Mice”: Refers to the three children, and the three people

who had to die. It also refers to the sadistic nature of children. A broken innocence.

The House itself is the mousetrap.

Possible Signs or Symbols:

Portraits of Children/ farms/ military effects

Things in groups of three

Mice, Mousetraps, holes etc.

References to England and Queen Mary

A butcher’s knife

Imposing future that signifies how they are trapped in the house.

Costuming to play up the history and background of each character.

Molly: Dress much as a teacher might dress.

Giles: Very stylish, something worn in the big city.

Metcalf: Hints of soldier like apparel or detective like clothing.

Casewell and Tortter could have similarities in their clothing.

Paravicini: Out of place, everything he wears just sets him as not fitting in.

Chris: Could have similar military garb as Metcalf.

Mrs. Boyle: she may have something judicial like, robe like clothing or lots of lace.

Trotter: Would seem to dress oddly the part.

Geographical Region: Berkshire England, about an hour away from London. It is

between the suburbs of London and the farmland of the countryside. A rather large

village settled between city and farmland. Monswell Manor could well be out in the

country from the village while not yet being in the farmland. Which allow Longridge
farm to be close by and London only an Hour away. London having no city planning was

spread out in every direction.

Setting: The great hall of Monkswell Manor.

The World of the Play:

1. Socially: 1950’s England just after WWII was a time of reconstruction and rebirth

for England. “Children during WWII in England were forced to endure great hardships;

everything from living with strangers, rationing, bombing raids, and other terrors of war.

The attitude instilled in them was a stoic quietness. They were taught to endure, but at the

cost of their emotional and psychological stability which would later represent itself in

family life years later.” 1 Soldier returning from home were scared and worn from war.

They wanted to start life anew and create a life for themselves. Rationing and the binging

of the welfare state began with the political change in parties. By the 1950’s rationing

was nearing it’s end, but food was still a precious commodity.2

2. Politically: A monarchy as head but a country run by a parliament the liberal Labor

party was now in control. Winston Churchill was put aside for more socialist views. The

Labor party was under the control Atlee who wanted to take control of as many elements

of life in order to being stability to the country. He brought about great change for the

country in the scope of the world, but did little to help the private sector. In 1951 The

Conservatives were elected back into power. 3

1
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/children_and_world_war_two.htm
2
http://www.britannia.com/history/nar20hist5.html

3
.ibid
3. Economically: With the conservatives back in power they were able to turn the

deficit economy into a surplus in less than one year. This was time of change from

nothing to really having the ability to live life with a sense of normalcy once again.

Entrepreneurial-ship had its chance once more.4 The 1950’s-60’s was time of great

economic boom and was time where Great Britain was finally a major player in world

affairs economically.

Physical Requirements of the Play:

Entrances and Exits

Tall window up C

Big arched opening up R

Arched opening L

Door to library up L

Door to the Drawing Room down L

Door to the Dining Room down R

Furniture that is interacted with excessively

A Large factory table by the window up C

A sofa LC

An armchair C

A Larger Leather armchair R

A small Victorian armchair down R

4
.ibid
Combined desk and bookcase L with chair

Initial Concept:

I imagine the hall looking rather old and filled with details of the richness the

house once had. It was the house of the wealthy years and years ago. Detailed molding,

sconces, beautiful floors. All these detail are worn heavily. Even for the attempts of

making things nice by the Ralston, things are still have an oppressing and ominous feel.

Everything is shorter than usual helping gives indication of being in a mouse hole, or the

feeling of being trapped. I would like to follow a similar art direction as Tim Burton. I

want it to have a exaggerated feeling of the darker tones. Pinstripe wall paper, tasseled

curtains, spindly Victorian furniture offset by other pieces being of an overbearing size.

The hall has a large fireplace with nearly dead fire, which represents the dying heart of

the home. Mouse holes are seen in the molding, and traps under the furniture. The visual

warmth when need will come from use of lighting. The tall center window is very tall

showing how high the snow has really pilled up. The house is frightful but you can see

the attempts of the Ralston’s to warm the place up.