The Rat Trap (Park Theatre)

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About the Show

Centenary revival of Noël Coward’s debut, adapted by Bill Rosenfield and staged by Troupe.

Set in 1920s Belgravia, a newlywed couple—Sheila, an emerging novelist, and Keld, an ambitious playwright—navigate the shifting power dynamics of love and literary success. Their marriage, built on shared brilliance and competing egos, begins to unravel as Keld’s career flourishes and Sheila’s stalls. Personal betrayals and simmering resentment drive the pair into emotional turmoil, casting a sharp light on the costs of ambition and the fragility of partnership.

Originally written in 1918 and first staged in 1926, The Rat Trap marks Noël Coward’s debut as a playwright. This centenary revival has been revised by Bill Rosenfield and is presented by Troupe, whose previous staging of The Forsyte Saga Parts 1 and 2 at Park Theatre received critical acclaim. The production blends Coward’s early wit with a period-accurate setting, offering a rare opportunity to revisit one of his lesser-known works with fresh dramaturgical insight.

Critic Reviews (6)

“It’s always exciting to see a rare revival with such timeless themes. Ward’s production takes the play seriously as social commentary with feminist messaging, and it could even be considered a tragedy. A fascinating centenary production.”
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"This revival has apparently been ‘reimagined’ by US playwright Bill Rosenfield, which only seems to extend to perfunctory movement sequences between episodes, that fail to fix the structural issues in Coward’s youthful play."
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“A safe and harmless piece of theatre, the timeless nature of this play is more than enough to put a smile on your face.”
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"It’s still more a radio play than a stage drama, its cut-glass voices indicating its age, however contemporary its concerns seem. But it's a must-see for Coward completists, ably directed by Kirsty Patrick Ward."
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“This rarely seen, jaundiced marital comedy suggests that the interest started early"
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"This is a play with literary promise and moments of verbal sparkle, but one that feels dramatically inert in execution. "
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