The Mouse House: Squeaky psychological drama low on thrills

The Mouse House

By Robert Ainsworth

Ottawa Little Theatre

Billed as a thriller — but actually more of a tale of sibling rivalry — The Mouse House by Peterborough playwright Robert Ainsworth grinds along rather than sending chills down the spine.

Ainsworth has been careful in preparing his situation. His protagonist, Carson, a successful author, returns to the isolated family cottage in 2006 to overcome his writer’s block and complete his latest his novel (on a portable typewriter), turning down his agent’s offer of a cellphone, so that she can keep in contact with him. Isolation confirmed. When a young drug addict breaks into the cottage, Carson cannot easily reach out for help.

Much of the ensuing drama is divided into blackout-separated short sequences depicting the shifting relationship between the two. Carson seems gentle, timid and kind. Troy seems a kid in need of help.

The tug-of-war is eventually resolved because Carson’s anxious literary agent asks his brother, Thomas, a long-haul truck driver, to check on Carson. To say more would be to reveal the twist in The Mouse House tale (tail).

In the Ottawa Little Theatre production, director Val Bogan makes every effort to be true to the playwright’s intent. (Possibly that includes the irritating trick in the program. I am not sure where blame should lie for that annoyance.) One of the problems with having a series of short sequences is that they are too often interspersed with long gaps in darkness that tend to break any tension that might have existed.

In terms of characterization, William Verreault Milner delivers a strong and entirely believable performance as Troy. Mike Thompson, after a tentative beginning, becomes as credible as the script allows and Bob Lackey provides a good contrast as his rough, tough brother.

A serviceable set from Andrew Hamelin, with good technical backup from lighting designer David Magladry and sound designer Lindsay Wilson, help to create the appropriate ambience. But it is difficult to make a silk purse out of this mouse’s ear and The Mouse House is simply too pedestrian to thrill.

The Mouse House continues at Ottawa Little Theatre to May 21.

 

Director: Val Bogan

Set: Andrew Hamelin

Lighting: David Magladry

Sound: Lindsay Wilson

Costumes: Jeanne Gauthier

 

Cast:

Bobby………………………………………Pat Gowans

Carson………………………………………Mike Thompson

Troy…………………………………………William Verreault Milner

Thomas………………………………………Bob Lackey