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Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap has kept audiences guessing for an incredible fifty-two years.

The Mousetrap at St Martin's Theatre, London.

This world record breaking production continues to attract audiences to the St.Martin’s Theatre London, from every corner of the globe - and aside from being based on a marvellous thriller is now officially the world's longest running play of any kind!

The tale is a classic archetype: A group of people are gathered together in a remote country house - but could one of them really be a murderer?

Dame Agatha Christie

In her own inimitable style, Dame Agatha Christie has created an atmosphere of shuddering suspense and a brilliantly intricate plot where murder lurks around every corner...52 years on and we still don't know 'whodunnit'! The show allegedley owes its existence to Queen Mary - who requested a new play by the crime novelist and creator of the likes of Miss Marple as a present for her 80th birthday.
It seems that the BBC responded with a half hour radio piece (called Three Blind Mice, rather than The Mousetrap) which was essentailly the current play in an earlier, abridged form.

The world's longest theatrical run is now firmly ensconced in the whole 'London' experience and continues - directed by David Turner - at St Martin's Theatre in Cambridge Circus. The theatre is on West Street,in the heart of London's theatre district, the West End. Designed by W.G.R Sprague, St Martin's opened in November 1916 - with a comedy called Houp La. The Mousetrap transfered to the theatre in March 1974, where it has been performed ever since.

"A Truly Entertaining Classic"

Here's a tatse of what the critics have had to say about The Mousetrap:

"One of the most skilfully written murder mysteries ever produced." - The New York Times

"Deservedly a classic among murder thrillers." - The Observer

"Charming institution sports a rapt audience." - Time Out

"A case of very stale theatrical cheese." - Evening Standard

Despiter that last - and rather cheap shot - a quote from London's Evening Standard - Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap has kept audiences coming - and kept them guessing for over five decades.

Fifty-two tears into it's run The Mousetrap is still - amazingly - going strong and packing them in. Night after night.

The play runs for 135 minutes - and ticket prices range roughly between £13 and £26. Currently performances begin at 8pm Monday-Saturday, matinees on Tuesdays at 2.45pm and Saturdays at 5pm.

For more information on this long-running show, the history of the theatre in which it is performed and for merchandise enquiries why not visit the official website of Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap at: www.vpsmvaudsav.co.uk.

The Mousetrap continues its mighty run at St Martin's Theatre, London. The nearest underground is Leicester Square and the nearest overland railway station is Charing Cross.

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More information available in On Stage