"This is not much of a spoiler considering that the play is called 'The Rat Trap,' the title revealing a gloomy — cynical souls might say realistic — view of marriage as terribly wrong for one party, possibly even both."
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"That's what The 'Rat Trap' is destined to remain: It's not in the same tier as Coward's better plays, but it is by no means a disaster."
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The Rat Trap is unmissable to anyone with an interest in Coward but, thanks to some hilarious dialogue and many penetrating insights, it is more than a theatrical curio. It extends the Mint's remarkable winning streak in unearthing forgotten, yet eminently stage-worthy, plays. Indeed, it is a sterling example of why this company remains an essential part of New York's theatre scene, extending our understanding of theatre history while providing audiences with literate, sophisticated entertainment.
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"The excellent Mint staging of The Rat Trap, smooths over the inconsistent quality of the writing and accents the play's considerable strengths."
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Noel Coward’s "The Rat Trap" is not only entertaining but seems to have been ahead of its time. Discounted by critics and the author alike when it had its only production until now in 1926, the play turns out to be a cogent exploration of a creative woman’s search for her place in society, one which has no niche for her talents once she is a married woman. The Mint Theater Company does the play justice, restoring its reputation as an Edwardian period piece on the topic of the New Woman who is also a gifted artist.
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"As an evening of entertainment, the Mint Theater Company, aided by an excellent cast, once again demonstrates its skill in polishing a period piece to the brightest shine that the material will allow."
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If you’re looking for the kind of snappily witty, airily stylish atmosphere of plays like Coward’s Private Lives or Blithe Spirit, you won’t find it here. Yet, for all its lack of superlative acting, its dull scenery, and its structural obviousness, the pulse of a coming dramatist beats loud and clear in several scenes. The promise shining through that second act spat alone is nearly enough to make a visit to The Rat Trap worth the effort.
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