Compared to films and television series, plays are usually not that popular today. However, there is one play that’s an exception to this. Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap” has been playing for the last 68 years. It is considered to be the longest running play – it opened in 1952 and ran till March 16, 2020, when all theatres were shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
What’s it about
“The Mousetrap” is a murder mystery set in “the present”, which refers to postwar England (since the play came out during that time). It revolves around a murder near Monkswell Manor, a newly opened bed and breakfast. All of the guests harbour a secret and fit the description of the culprit.
It was written by Christie as a short radio play for Queen Mary’s birthday. Titled “Three Blind Mice starring Barry Morse”, it was first broadcast in May 1947. Later it was renamed and performed on the stage for the first time as “The Mousetrap” at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham in the U.K. on October 6, 1952.
In the long run
A few weeks later, it moved to the Ambassadors Theatre in West End London on November 25, 1952, where it continued to be performed for the next 22 years. Because of its soaring popularity, it transferred to the larger St Martin’s Theatre, next door in 1974. The London run is said to have exceeded 28,000 performances. And, even Christie did not expect “The Mousetrap” to run for such a long time, according to her biography.
What makes it special?
Before the COVID-19 pandemic watching “The Mousetrap” had become a sort of ritual among many tourists visiting London. The original cast included some of the finest English actors such as Richard Attenborough (of the “Jurassic Park” fame), Mysie Monte and David Raven.
What keeps the audience hooked is the whodunnit plot and the twist in the tale. In fact, the performers are known to request the audience not to reveal the ending to those who have not watched it.
Interestingly, the clock on the mantle piece of the fireplace, one of the props on the stage, is the same one that has been used since the very first performance and has survived over the years.
DID YOU KNOW?
- During the Diamond Anniversary year of “The Mousetrap a touring production visited regional theatres for the first time in its history, whilst the London nun continued uninterrupted.
- Christie gave the rights to the play to her grandson Mathew Prichard as a birthday present. Under the copyright, only one production of the play in addition to the West End production can be performed annually. What’s more no film adaptation can be produced until the West End production has been closed for at least six months.
Picture Credit : Google
