The Rats At The Grange Playhouse

Most people know that Agatha Christie wrote a number of plays, Murder on the Nile and Witness for the Prosecution being amongst the most famous. But Agatha also wrote many other lesser known vehicles including a twisty, nasty, one act play called The Rats. This is the play that the Grange Players of Walsall submitted to the recent AETF Awards, where it was awarded the best one-act play in Birmingham!

They are now bringing the show to The Grange Stage for two nights only and I was able to attend the very first show.  (incidentally my first visit to The Grange Playhouse, but it won’t be my last.) I was really impressed with both the story and the staging, which once again shows why Agatha remains Queen when it comes to murder, mystery and suspense. The Rats is cool, cruel and the perfect locked room crime story.

Sandra has been invited to a drinks party by some friends, and is perplexed when she arrives only to be greeted by an empty flat with the door on the latch. She is even more puzzled when another friend Jennifer, arrives to feed the budgie and tells her that the couple who invited her are actually away in France. However, she is soon joined by two male acquaintances who have also been invited to the flat, one of whom she knows a little too well for a supposedly happily married woman. Why have they been invited to this seemingly empty flat and for what reason? The answer is shocking, giving a whole new meaning to the saying ‘rats in a trap.’

This is half an hour of almost macabre entertainment with not a minute wasted. The cast are all very good. Lucy Talbot as Sandra moves from coolly passionate to hysterical with ease, whilst Sara Bissett as Jennifer adds a little comic value as she gently questions Sandra about her suspected lover. Gareth May is great as suave David Forrester, at first ardent and romantic before his love turns to disgust and violence, whilst Rod Bissett is an absolute hoot as Alec, the clever lynchpin of the whole charade.

The Rats is a must see for fans of Agatha, and for those who like their mysteries to come with a sting in the tale.

There are two more showings tomorrow.

Secure your ticket by calling The Grange Playhouse box office on 07909 036835 or by visiting https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/the-grange-players-ltd

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