The Mousetrap is a play that has been performed in London since the 1950s.
Today, we focus on this West End institution.
The Mousetrap: article summary
The Mousetrap: at a glance
Agatha Christie's play is a typically British "whodunit", as it follows on from an investigation intoa murder for which we already know the culprit.
Agatha Christie's play is part of the West End: since it opened in 1952, The Mousetrap has been the world's longest-running play.
Decades later, generations of spectators are still enthusiastic about discovering and rediscover this play.
Whether you're a West End tourist looking to discover classic shows or you want to see every show in London, you need to put this play on your must-see list.
What's The Mousetrap all about?
Five guests arrive for a relaxing vacation at Monkswell Manor, a recently opened Berkshire bed and breakfast.
As they find themselves huddled together in a remote part of the countryside during a snowstorm, they're trapped inside and have no choice but to talk to each other.
To their surprise, Detective Sergeant Trotter arrives at the hotel door and informs the hotel guests that a murder has taken place nearby and that they are all suspects.
Everyone is questioned and seems to match the murderer's descriptions, especially when the characters begin to reveal their shady pasts.
Which theaters are hosting this famous play?
The play debuted at the Théâtre des Ambassadeurs in 1952, then moved to the Théâtre Saint-Martin in 1974, where it has been performed ever since.
How long does The Mousetrap last?
The piece lasts 2 hours and 20 minutesand includes a short 15-minute interval.
When is The Mousetrap playing in London?
The theater plays nine performances a week at St. Martin's Theatre. The first performances take place :
- Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 3 p.m.
Evening performances take place :
- Every day from Monday to Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Who wrote this piece?
The play is a very famous work by Agatha Christie. This genre-defining writer is nicknamed the "Queen of Crime". All in all, she wrote 66 novels over the course of her career.
Even if you've never seen this play on stage, chances are you've heard of Agatha Christie's famous works, such as :
- Murder on the Orient Express
- Death on the Nile
- There were ten of them
Agatha Christie also gave birth to legendary literary characters such as :
- Belgian detective Hercule Poirot
- Amateur sleuth Miss Marple
A few more facts about Agatha Christie
Did you know that there are two Agatha Christie plays playing in London? If you've seen this play, you can go to London County Hall and watch Witness for the Prosecution.
The courtroom drama follows Leonard Vole as he stands trial for murder and must prove his innocence.
Finally, while in London, you can visit the Agatha Christie monument in the West End. It's located on Cranbourn Street, a testament to his popularity and incredible career.
The Mousetrap is a play not to be missed if you want to enjoy theater in London. You can discover the suspenseful story of Agatha Christie and spend a very pleasant evening in the center of the capital.
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