Mousetrap scurries to new home

Above: Mousetrap Theatre performers Liv Wood and Miranda Matthews during a dress rehearsal for thebcomedy Mirandolina.

Mousetrap Theatre will raise the curtain this week on its first production at the company’s new home in Redcliffe.

More than three years after leaving Lamington Drive due to structural issues, Mousetrap Theatre is back – at the Sutton Centre in Sutton St.

The first show will be a comedy Mirandolina, opening on Thursday (October 24), followed by singing and dancing cabaret 80s Icons - Superstars and Soundtracks from November 14.

While the previous venue had been home to the theatre company since 1966, the Sutton Centre has been renovated by Moreton Bay City Council.

It has a new roof, heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, additional toilets aand shower, as well as disability compliance and access upgrades.

“We’re delighted the show will go on for Mousetrap Theatre, right here in the heart of Redcliffe,” Mayor Peter Flannery said.

“The performing arts are an intrinsic part of our community which Council is proud to support through partnerships like this.”

Cr Karl Winchester (Div 6) said: “Visiting recently, I was blown away by how they’ve transformed the old Council office building into a welcoming and expansive theatre.

“I would like to congratulate Mousetrap Theatre President Karen Matthews and the talented team of volunteers who have poured so much passion and effort into this project.

“It makes perfect sense to back this location right on Sutton St, which is beside Bee Gees Way, surrounded by foot traffic and fantastic cafes and restaurants.”

Mousetrap Theatre President Karen Matthews said after three years performing in halls and clubs, “we're very excited to have a home again”.

“A proper stage with curtains and lights is something we've been missing while we've been in ‘travelling circus’ mode,” she said.

“The Sutton Centre is a great location that is central to Redcliffe, easy to find, and surrounded by cafes and restaurants where our audiences can have a meal before the show.”

Ms Matthews said Mousetrap started with a ‘blank slate’ for its fit out, building a light and sound booth, storage area and side stage area, lay down a stage surface, hang curtains and lights and paint walls and floors.

“A new space brings new possibilities. We don't know yet what the full potential of the venue is, but we're going to be trying new things as we go along,” she said.

“We've brought a lot of costumes, props and furniture with us from the old building, so our audiences may recognise items they've seen before.

“We also have historical artworks which we'll be hanging around the building to keep that link between the past and the future.”

The flexibility of the building layout means Mousetrap can configure their theatre based on the needs of a particular production.

“The auditorium has a side area which could be opened up when needed and our seating is on moveable tiers, which will allow the option to reconfigure the audience seating to suit different styles of productions,” Ms Matthews said.

“The new venue has a second space which can be used when the main auditorium stage is taken up with a set for a major production.”

Next year will see a pantomime Robinson Crusoe - Pirates and the Caribbean Queen in January and comedy whodunnit Inspector Drake and The Perfekt Crime in February.

Ms Matthews said the theatre was “always open to new members” both on and off stage.