The Scousetrap

Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap has run continuously in London since first hitting the West End stage in 1952, except, of course, for a two-year gap during the Covid pandemic.

Well, it seems that during that hiatus, the mouse escaped, headed north and became scouse!

The Liverpool Royal Court theatre’s latest comedy offering, The Scousetrap, was the brainchild of writers Kevin Fearon and Cal McCrystal. It very loosely parodies the West End play whilst embodying all the scouseness and silliness for which the Royal Court is renowned.

The set builders have made a grand job of recreating the jaded grandeur of the city’s Adelphi Hotel, with the requisite doors and stairways that lend themselves wonderfully to the fun and frolics of a comedy farce.

The play’s director Cal McCrystal presided over several Royal Court regulars. Eithne Browne, was magnificent in her portrayal of super sleuth Miss Marble, and Keddy Sutton was run off her feet playing no fewer than four members of the hotel staff, Polly, Holly, Molly and Dolly; Liam Tobin played W.C. Groper, whilst the role of the voluptuous Lady Barking-Dobson was filled by Helen Carter.

The Scousetrap is full of rib-tickling fun and, whilst on their own admission, has very little in terms of a plot, it definitely grabs the funny bone of this lovely theatre’s loyal enthusiastic audiences. The play runs until the 29th of October and you can grab your tickets from the Box Office or online.