THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 1, 1996 TAG: 9603010497
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines
If a man can make a better mousetrap, the world will make a beaten path to his door.
Sexist quote. After all, it was a woman who made the best mousetrap: Agatha Christie, in 1952.
How good is it?
One stage production of ``The Mousetrap'' played for a quarter-century in the same theater in London, said Peter Thomson. ``It's still running in Toronto.''
The same play will begin an abbreviated run in Elizabeth City on the Main Street Stage on today, Saturday, and Feb. 8, 9 and 10.
The Encore Theatre presentation is directed by Thomson, who calls Christie's suspense drama ``a great closed-room mystery.'' That means all the characters are together in one room. In this case, it is in British inn in London.
A wicked snowstorm keeps the entire cast huddled together. A wicked deed has been committed. The murderer - that foul fiend - must be revealed.
Throughout the production, audience members get to match wits with Detective Sgt. Trotter. The mental race is on.
The suspects have been skulking around Albemarle area stages for several years - performers such as Chris Crosland, Sue Filarecki, Robert H. Rossman, Donna Simons and Michael Kerry Williams.
Ron Russell is innocent - probably. He portrays the gumshoe. Amanda Renee Chastain and Tony Zachary, Northeastern High School students and local stage vets, portray a newly married pair who operate the inn where the blood flowed.
Thomson is directing his first theatrical production in 35 years with ``The Mousetrap.'' He has not been lolling about, however. He has been directing commercials, mostly in English, one in French.
Thomson has been in Elizabeth City for four years, using the Albemarle area venue as his base of operations, then branching out to various parts of the world to direct commercials and films.
Canadian Broadcasting dramas are one of his specialties, including a CBC series. In Hampton Roads, Thomson has been at the helm for spots for Virginia Beach tourism, Chrysler Museum and Greenbrier Mall. He always returns to Elizabeth City, though.
``We're boaters,'' he said. ``We like the climate - and love the idea of a small town.''
Elizabeth City is, indeed, a small town with big talent. Thomson, whose last acting job was 40 years ago, praises the dedication of his performers, saying that the amateur actors are as skilled as many professionals. ``They're crazy to do this,'' he said. ``It's so much hard work.''
Christie has been satisfying playgoers and readers since 1920 with such mysteries as ``Murder On the Orient Express,'' ``Death On the Nile'' and the many Hercule Poirot mysteries. MEMO: THEATER PREVIEW
WHAT: Encore Theatre Company, ``The Mousetrap.''
WHEN: 8 p.m. today, Saturday, and March 8 and 9; 3 p.m. March 10.
WHERE: Main Street Stage, Pasquotank Arts Building loft, Elizabeth
City.
COST: General admission, $7; students and senior citizens, $5.
TICKETS: Advance tickets may be purchased from Mail Boxes Etc., Port
Elizabeth Centre Personal Touch, Virginia Dare Arcade, Main Street;
Mulligan's Waterfront Grille.
Mulligan's also is selling dinner theater tickets. General admission,
$20; students and seniors $18. Includes dinner, tickets, dessert and
coffee.
For information call Robyn Eure at 338-3628. by CNB