By Janis La Couvée of JanisLaCouvee.com

There is something irresistibly delicious about being wrapped in a comfortable sweater, sipping a mug of hot Ovaltine, ensconced in a pair of well-worn slippers

Certain literary and theatrical forms recall this sense of familiarity. Agatha Christie’s play The Mousetrap, currently at the Chemainus Theatre Festival April 24-May 30, 2015 is one of the finest examples, being the longest running play in history (playing continuously on London’s West End since opening in 1952).

Remember Colonel Mustard in the library with a wrench—from the board game “Clue”? If you enjoyed playing as a child, you will love puzzling out the story in The Mousetrap. Part of the play’s charm lies in the straight delivery of the actors—this is no spoof. Christie, who based The Mousetrap on a real life case of deadly child neglect, revels in social commentary, ensuring the audience is kept guessing to the very end. And, in typical mystery fashion, a few very germane details are always left out.

Newlyweds Mollie (a bubbly and vivacious Leala Selina) and Giles Ralston (Victor Dolhai as the young husband bound to please), proprietors of Monkswell Manor, have decided to open their historic home as an inn. The very first guests are about to arrive, and a snowstorm threatens. Faintly, over the radio, are overhead the details (repeated several times for effect) of a horrific murder. Titters from the audience signal the first suspicions. Perhaps I’d better pay attention. Who was wearing what article of clothing?

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by Gretta Kennedy, Traveling Islanders

I grew up watching “Perry Mason” with my mom

It was old. It was black and white. And it was one of the first grown up shows I can remember watching.

They were all re-runs, of course, but I didn’t care.

I was learning the fine art of looking for clues and playing detective to figure out “whodunit.” Most of the time I couldn’t figure it out, but slowly I began catching on to the patterns and habits of a murderer.

It was great fun for me, which is why it will come as no surprise to you to hear how much I loved Agatha Christie’s on-stage murder mystery “The Mousetrap” currently playing at The Chemainus Theatre.

Every time Jay and I go to see what’s playing at The Chemainus Theatre, we are not disappointed. It took us several years to finally try it out, and I think it’s safe to say we are now sold. Everything we’ve seen has been superb and The Mousetrap was no exception.

Ensemble

By Janis La Couvée, JanisLacCouvee.com

It’s a long way from the wet west coast of Vancouver Island to the hills and fields of Arkansas, and the music halls of Nashville, yet music has the power to tie us together in a celebration of family and community.

Mining this fundamental truth, Chemainus Theatre artistic director Mark DuMez opens the 2015 season with Ring of Fire: Project Johnny Cash. If the enthusiastic and all-ages audience at Sunday’s matinée is any indication, Cash fans are legion.

Dumez and Musical Director Zachary Stevenson (well-known to Victoria audiences for roles in Urinetown, the Buddy Holly Story, Hank Williams-the Show He Never Gave, and FIRE!), inspired by the Broadway jukebox musical Ring of Fire, winnowed the vast catalogue of Cash hits (a massive undertaking given his nearly five decades in the music business and over 1200 songs) to a carefully chosen list of 30 titles well-known to even the most casual listener.