Review: Agatha Christie’s Mousetrap

Agatha Christie Mousetrap Review

You have probably already seen The Mousetrap.

If not in a stage setting in London, then on your TV screen or a Movie theater.

In a homage to this incredibly popular stage show, innumerable TV shows and movies have copied its formula verbatim. The shock twist at the end comes not so much as a surprise, but a confirmation of where it all began.

Most people in the audience were there for the thrill of the show. For being able to see the show that is the longest running show in the history of the world. With over 25000 performances (think about that number for second) no other show comes closer.

The story and the setting are so typically Agatha Christie that for a moment you yearn to truly believe that you are not time travelling, but you do actually live in an era when the only way to get news was via the “wireless” and that a telephone wire being “cut” makes sense. The fact that most people in the audience would have paid upwards of $75 for the privilege makes you realize you’re not the only one.

In case, you haven’t seen it, the story should sound familiar.

A newly married couple have bought a new house, and have decided to convert it into a guest house. They call it the Monkswell Manor and they await the arrival of their first few guests. The guests arrive one by one, each one more peculiar than the last. All this against the background of a horrific murder in London, a blinding snowstorm which has cut down communication with the outside world and you have a setting for a perfect late night novel. Except, it is playing out in front of you on stage with some terrific acting by an all Australian cast.

While watching the show, I couldn’t help but think how this compared against the original cast from when the show was first performed in London on 6th Oct, 1952. 60 years on and the show still works. It is perhaps a tribute to the original concept and the brilliance of the “surprise” ending that we still watch the show to eagerly await the identity of the killer even though we all know it.

This production is an effort to take Mousetrap to newer audiences who haven’t had the privilege of seeing it its original setting in London. The stage setting is perfect, the lighting and effects adequate and the acting remarkable considering the all Australian cast (who I suspect don’t naturally have posh British accents of 1950s). All the actors do their job meticulously and supplement each others efforts.

Catch the show while you can before it runs out on the 20th of Jan.

For more information:

Visit Mousetrap

In Brisbane: QPAC

CraftGossip got complimentary tickets to see the show.

Lots of Americans seem to think that May 5 is Mexican Independence Day, but that holiday actually falls on Sept. 16.

May 5 is the celebration of the Battle of Puebla, in which the Mexicans defeated the French in 1862. Independence Day marks the beginning of their fight for independence from Spain in 1810. That was the day of what’s known as El Grito de Dolores, or the cry of Dolores, for when the Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla rang the church bells at his church in Dolores and declared that Mexico should be free from Spanish rule.

They would fight for their freedom until 1821 when they finally gained independence.

Fabulous Classroom has a little of the history and ideas for celebrating the holiday for all age groups. There’s also a link to a good video in that post about the real story of Mexican Independence Day.

Twinkl also has a good tops about the history and different activities, discussion ideas, crafts and foods that can be incorporated into lessons at school or used at home.

I also found a few pins that no longer link to a website but include good information on Mexican Independence Day, including some questions for students to answer based on the reading. You can find more printables and questions for kids from TX Homeschool Mama on Etsy (also available in Spanish).

You can find a lot more paid resources about Mexican Independence Day at Teachers Pay Teachers.

Mexican flag crafts are a fun option for celebrating Mexican Independence Day (though the current iteration of their flag has only been in use since 1968). Kids Activities Blog has a free Mexican flag printable and a few different ideas for decorating it including dot markers and torn tissue paper.

You can also find some great Mexican crafts at Red Ted Art. The post includes all sorts of Mexican inspired projects including Day of the Dead crafts, Frida Kahlo pinatas and upcycled musical instruments. I love the giant paper flowers they shared from Honestly WTF.

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