Playing Mollie Ralston
Recently, I had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity as Shuswap Theatre announced it would be presenting Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap. Growing up in a home with a major Christie fan (my mother) and having enjoyed the play as a teenager, I knew I had to audition. Set in the 1950s, The Mousetrap has 3 feminine characters - I studied and prepared for all 3 roles. To my surprise, and excitement, I was offered a principal role - Mollie Ralston. Mollie is the first character on and the character that concludes the play at the end. She is the hostess of the snowed-in country guest house where the intrigue takes place. What fun!
Under the tutelage of my language-whiz partner, I worked over the summer of 2024 to nail down the accent. Mollie is sweet, caring, proper and youthful. She wants her guests to have a good time, but is still a little green when it comes to running a guest house. Rehearsals started in September and ran 4 days a week until opening night in early November.
After the opening night, the show completely sold out. The run of the performance, 11 shows, was exhilarating, terrifying and always, energizing. I was the first person on stage, and I opened the show by removing my gloves and jacket and hiding away a little package in a drawer. I remember the first few times I went out my heart was pounding wildly and I was fixated on my first few lines “Mrs. Barlow? Mrs. Barlow?” By the third week of performances, I realized that I didn’t even think about it anymore; I just walked out on to the stage when I heard my cue called.
The terrifying bit is not actually related to the acting, it was because I was sick during the second week of performances. It was exhausting and intense and I can not express how much respect I gained for the performers who do it, regardless of what’s going on in their personal life. The show must go on never meant so much before then.
And the ENERGY! There’s nothing quite like acting in a live play, and feeling like you nailed it, for the most part. You feel better, even if you’re sick. You go home, and even after working that day you clean the kitchen and dance around the house. I also felt good, as a person. Like I was given the chance to do something that had to be done to near perfection, and I delivered. And I went for it!
Amazing props to the dedicated cast members and all the volunteers who pour many 10s of hours into these productions.
CAST
Mollie - Jennifer Chernecki
Giles - Luke Norrie
Christopher - Kyle Herrewynen
Mrs. Boyle - Teresa McKerral
Major Metcalf - Howard DeLong
Miss Casewell - Maggie Chafe
Paravicini - Blaine Milos
Sgt. Trotter - Drake Vermeer
CREW
Director - Daniel Hall
Producers - Julia Body and Nedine Scott
House Technical Director - Elizabeth Ann Skelhorne
Stage Manager - Lois Towgood
Assistant Stage Manager - Meaghan Delaney
Lighting Design - Jim Clayton
Lighting Operator - Karen Morgan
Sound Design - Kim McMillan
Sound Operator - Bunny Cornet
Set Design - Daniel Hall
Set Construction - Peter Molnar, Daniel Hall, James Elser, Craig Massey, Pat Hutchins
Set Decor and Props - Wendy Hunter and Cilla Budda
Production Assistant - Cilla Budda
Costume Designer - Lona Heinzig
Seamstress - Rhonda Seniuk
Hair - Adam Watson
Stage Crew - Wendy Hunter
Photography - Laura Demulder
Foyer Display - Doreen Rolheiser and Wendy Hunter
FOH - Pauline Waelti
Poster and Programme - Lisa Bennett
Sponserships - Howard DeLong
Ad Sales - Cilla Budda
Marketing - Susanne MacMillan, Nedine Scott, Elizabeth Ann Skelhorne
Box Office - Kim MacMillan and Alice Chin
Opening Night - Susan MacMillan, Tracy Nash & Team
Bar - Craig Massey
Thank you all!!
