The lecture theatre at École St Mary has been transformed into a British manor. (Submitted/ Jason Van Otterloo)

By Nigel Maxwell

Murder mystery

St. Mary drama club unravels world’s ultimate whodunit

Nov 19, 2024 | 5:00 PM

The world’s longest-running play with over 28,000 performances, is making a stop in Prince Albert.

École St Mary High School’s production of The Mousetrap starts Wednesday night and runs until Saturday. Drama teacher Jason Van Otterloo told paNOW the decision to do the play was based in part by the fact the school had not done a murder mystery in over 10 years.

“It was the perfect fit for the students we have, it was the right fit for our tech crew,” he said, adding the students also rose to the challenge of the high expectations that come with performing a famous play.

After a local woman is murdered, the guests and staff at Monkswell Manor find themselves stranded during a snowstorm. It soon becomes clear the killer is among them, and the seven strangers grow increasingly suspicious of one another.

In addition to the seven cast members on stage, the school’s production also involves a nine-person tech crew and four costumers. And noting the fact the whole play takes place at a British manor, and does not require any set changes, Van Otterloo believes the audience will be amazed.

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“I’m standing in it right now, thinking it might be the nicest set we’ve ever put on stage,” he said.

This murder mystery also features a brilliant surprise finish from Dame Agatha Christie, the foremost mystery writer of her time. Van Otterloo noted the students really enjoyed learning the nuances and seeing how the mystery unravelled.

“For them it’s like laying out a treasure map for the audience, hoping they follow along with us,” he said.

The production will take place at the École St. Mary High School Lecture Theatre. Show times are at 7:30 p.m. and tickets cost $12 for adults and $8 for students (18 years and younger) and are available at the main office or at the door.

When asked why audiences should come, Van Otterloo stated it’s a chance for people who can’t go to London to see the original, to still be a part of the best kept secret in theatre.

“This has been running for over 70 years and nobody spoils the surprise, so figuring out who did it is why you should come,” he said.

Celebrated crime novelist Agatha Christie was born in 1890, and penned 66 mystery novels, 14 short story collections, and was also a celebrated playwright.

The Mousetrap ran in London’s West End from 1952-2020.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell