Christie’s ‘Mousetrap’ opens theater’s 28th year

Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap” has been in production around the world for 55 years, and now it’s playing in Columbia, thanks to the Columbia Entertainment Company.

“The Mousetrap” is comprised of a small cast of eccentric characters, featuring newlyweds Mollie and Giles Ralston, played by Emily Gough Long and Michael Wilson, respectively. In the play, the Ralstons have recently opened a boarding house and have filled it up. Snow begins to fall and the seven characters find themselves trapped in the house, according to Rory O’Carroll, who plays Christopher Wren.

“It’s a great show,” O’Carroll said. “It’s definitely a suspense thriller. Agatha Christie’s known for that. ... It’s a real mind-bender.”

Jim Malinee, who plays Major Metcalf, spoke highly of the play’s script.

“It’s written well enough so that anyone could be the killer,” Malinee said. “It’s written in British slang that we would even have to Google to understand.”

Columbia Entertainment Company, a community theater run by volunteers, is in the midst of its 28th season, with director Amanda Altier making her debut with the group.

Altier has worked on other productions in Boone County, including a Shakespeare Festival at Le Bourgeois Winery.. She has also worked on productions with the Maplewood Barn Theatre.

“It’s definitely been wonderful,” Altier said of her first experience with Columbia Entertainment Company.

Columbia Entertainment Company is holding a gala on Thursday evening to celebrate its performances and its successful “Buy a Chair” campaign, which according to board member Mark Thomas, raised $13,000 to pay for new chairs and a portion of the risers in the theater.