Who’s who in 22, Music & Arts: Mousetrap Theatre

Mousetrap Theatre may have been without a home for much of 2022, its 70^th year, but the show went on thanks to the efforts of dedicated thespians.

Its building at Redcliffe was closed for structural assessment earlier this year, after serious issues were discovered during a routine inspection by Moreton Bay Regional Council officers.

President Karen Matthews said at the time: “Council were doing an assessment of the recreational buildings in the region. As far as I know, they did the other theatre companies and theatres in the region as well. They found some structural issues that require work. They need to be fixed. They’re not just things we can ignore.

“The structural issues are with the foundations and the beam that runs across the front of the stage. It’s an old building. It’s been sitting here for a long time, these things happen.”

A Moreton Bay Regional Council spokesman said the theatre was closed while a building condition assessment was undertaken, including technical reviews and costings to provide an estimate for repair costs.

“Council has worked closely with the Mousetrap Theatre Company to find them an alternate interim performance venue and assist with storage of their props and equipment, however finding a long-term solution will likely take some time,” the spokesman said.

“There are a number of structural concerns relating to the building and fire and electrical compliance upgrades are also needed.”

Since vacating the building, which has been its home for almost 60 years, Mousetrap Theatre Company has performed at Redcliffe Senior Citizens Centre and most recently at John Naumann Hall, Deception Bay.

“It’s hard work and there have been a lot of challenges for our crew, but they have met the challenge and we’ve made a community hall into a theatre,” Karen said.

Where future shows will be staged will depend on venue availability and the style of show.

About Mousetrap Theatre

The Mousetrap Theatre has been providing quality live theatre to the residents of Redcliffe for 70 years.

It is Redcliffe's premier little theatre company, staging plays, musicals, comedies, cabarets and children's productions.

Mousetrap is a community theatre run by dedicated volunteers and welcomes participation by members of the general public.

Its aim is to bring affordable live theatre to the Moreton Bay Region community.

The Redcliffe Music and Arts Society started in 1952 with lectures on musical appreciation by Grace MacGibbon. These proved popular and the society was born with Grace as its first President.

It’s first production was in October that year and included orchestral items, solos, recitations and a sketch titled Wanted a Maid.

Musicals and light opera followed in the 1960s and the theatre company staged its first rock opera in 1989. It was Grease.

Until 1967, the society did not have a home of its own. It bought the building at Redcliffe Showground reserve after it was vacated by the Redcliffe Rugby League Club.

It was named Mousetrap Theatre in honour of the longest-running play in the world, Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap.