“Three Blind Mice”
This classic mystery by Agatha Christie is directed by Alisa Stewart and playing at the Cady bldg., 12604 SW Farmington
Rd., through March 25th. For
more information, go to their site at
www.experiencetheatreproject.org
or call 844-387-7469.
Christie was fond of nursey rhymes as she used them as clues
in more than one of her stories, e. g. “Hickory, Dickory, Dock” or “Pocketful
of Rye.” Usually they were used as clues
to the killer and/or his/her/they’re motives and often connecting to childhood,
as it does in this tale. This play has
never been filmed as, according to her directions, it couldn’t be until the
play had run its course. Over 60 years
later, it’s still running!
The time is 1952 at a rural, county guest house run by the
Ralstons’, Mollie (Carlyn Blount) and her newly married husband, Giles (Nick
D’Ettorre). They have a smattering of guests
for their opening, including the flitting, Mr. Wren (Murren Kennedy), the
sarcastic, Mrs. Boyle (Janice Moss), the manly socialist, Miss Casewell (Amber
Bogdewiecz), the very proper, Major Metcalf (Steve Garrison), a military man,
the stranded motorist, the bouncy Italian, Mr. Paravicini (Brian Reed), and the
Law, Sergeant Trotter (James Luster), seeking a killer of a previous crime.
It is a dark and story time and, in fact, these people are
snow-bound and cut off from the rest of the world, a perfect time and place for
a murder mystery. Also, understand, all
these folks have secrets and not everything or everyone may be truthful as to
their knowledge of a horrendous crime that happened some years before to three
orphans at a nearby farm. More I cannot
tell you without giving away plot devices but, believe me, it’s a corker!
Now, that being said, the story is not really the uniqueness
to this production. It is in the style
in which it’s presented. The audience
(limited to about 35, I believe) is seated within the set in which the actors
are playing! The audience is arranged,
mostly around the sides of this large room, while the actors are moving/seated
within inches of them. This is part of
the “immersive” experience this group has as their signature. (This would be also a great setting/immersive
experience for Christie’s “Ten Little Indians,”…just a thought).
The director and actors must have had a real headache trying
to block this show around audience members, as well as making sure all could
see and hear. Also, it was performed in
natural lighting, which added to the sense of reality. The cast was spot-on in their characters and
I give them and the Director high marks for achieving success for such a
difficult project.
I highly recommend this show as it is a one-of-a-kind
experience. They have extended the run
because of sellout crowds, so get your tickets soon. A warning, though, it is only street parking
in a very busy part of town, so plan your time accordingly. If you do choose to see it, please tell them
Dennis sent you.
--DJS
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