World's longest running play captures Geelong Arts Centre in Agatha Christie's Mousetrap

MEDIA RELEASE • 17 JUNE 2024

Produced by John Frost for Crossroads Live and Shake & Stir Theatre Co, Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap will grace The Play House stage for a thrilling run of shows from July 4 – 7 as a centrepiece of Geelong Arts Centre’s SEASON 2024.

Directed by Australian theatre icon and former Artistic Director of the Sydney and Queensland Theatre Companies, Robyn Nevin AO, this genre-defining murder mystery unfolds around a group of strangers stranded in a boarding house during a snowstorm.

Reprising their roles from last year’s triumphant sell out capital city tour are Helpmann Award winner Alex Rathgeber (Anything Goes, The Phantom of the Opera) as Giles Ralston, the husband of the new owner of Monkswell Manor; legendary performer Gerry Connolly (Cyrano de Bergerac, The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui) as Mr Paravicini, an unexpected visitor at the manor; and one of Australia’s most renowned stars of stage and screen, Geraldine Turner (Wicked, Present Laughter), as the seriously unpleasant retired magistrate Mrs Boyle.

Hannah Fredericksen (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Dream Lover) joins the cast as Mollie Ralston, the young owner of Monkswell Manor, a Victorian era estate that has recently been converted into a guest house. Chris Parker (Mamma Mia, Sunner Rain) plays retired British military officer Major Metcalf. Miranda Daughtry (The Bleeding Tree, Three Sisters) will play Miss Casewell, who remains mysteriously aloof from the other guests, while Timothy Walker (Before the Meeting, The Great) is Detective Sergeant Trotter. Direct from the current West End production of The Mousetrap, reprising the role of Christopher Wren, is Alexander Wolfe (Faith, Three Sisters). Completing the cast are Anna Burgess (Much Ado About Nothing, Social Dance) and Jack Bannister (The Mousetrap, Ivanov) as standbys.

For over 70 years, The Mousetrap has kept millions of people from every corner of the globe on the edge of their seats and is by far the longest run of any play anywhere in the world, with over 28,500 performances.

Can you solve this world-famous mystery for yourself? Bookings can be made at https://geelongartscentre.org.au/whats-on/all-events/agatha-christies-the-mousetrap/ , or by phoning the Box Office on 1300 251 200 between 9:00am and 5:00pm, Monday to Friday.

Geelong Arts Centre’s SEASON 2024 is proudly supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria, Major Artistic Partner, Deakin University, and Innovation Partner, Costa Asset Management.

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QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE

“Our goal is to program exceptional arts experiences for all audiences, and Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap is a perfect example.”

“Featuring an incredible cast directed by Australian theatre great Robyn Nevin, we are thrilled to bring this classic world-renowned theatre piece to Geelong.”

Quotes attributable to Geelong Arts Centre Head of Programming, Penny McCabe

BILLING & CREDIT

Full billing and credits available at https://geelongartscentre.org.au/whats-on/all-events/agatha-christies-the-mousetrap/,

MEDIA KIT

For comprehensive show information, including venue descriptions, dates and times, ticket prices and media assets, and see PAGE 8 of the Geelong Arts Centre SEASON 2024 media kit here.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES AND ASSETS

Media imagery available here. For access to talent and prospective interview opportunities, please contact Communications & Social Media Lead, Marli Dean.