Oh what a Happy Friday it is for us! The Mousetrap – the longest-running show in the world – has just announced that it will be reopening at the St. Martin’s Theatre from 23 October and we can’t contain our excitement!
Agatha Christie’s thriller has played in London since 1952 and will resume its record-breaking run in accordance with the Government stipulations for Stage Four of the recently announced Road Map for the return of live theatre and music.
Adam Spiegel, the producer of The Mousetrap, said: “I recognise that for the vast majority of West End productions, operating with social distancing is simply not possible. I produce other shows which will also be unable to re-open under these restrictions. We are very fortunate with The Mousetrap that, with the help of our stakeholders, we are able to adapt our economic model to be able to re-open. Whilst this cannot be a long-term exercise, we believe it is a crucial first step in restoring live theatre to the London landscape.
“From examinations of the operational requirements of the building, we are able to adhere to necessary social distancing on stage, backstage and throughout the auditorium and public spaces. The recent announcement of the government’s road map therefore brings our re-opening into immediate focus.
“It feels very symbolic that The Mousetrap will be amongst the first – and potentially the very first – West End show to open its doors again. As well as being the longest running play in the world, Agatha Christie is the best-selling novelist this country has ever produced. She had already left a legacy for us to take great pride in. Her name being back up in lights in the West End, heralding the beginning of the end of a very dark time in the history of the theatre, means she will rightly remain one of the most celebrated figures in our cultural life.”
The iconic West End production was originally adapted from Agatha’s radio show, Three Blind Mice, written for the royal family in 1947. Its central characters gathered together in a remote corner of the countryside, discover there is a murderer in their midst. But, as ever, the question is: who did it?
You would think audiences would have sussed out the culprit by now, but we’re still searching more than 60 years after famous murder mystery The Mousetrap’s first performance in London. Yes, that’s right, The Mousetrap has been keeping audiences on their toes for as long as Queen Elizabeth II has been on the throne!
The Mousetrap will celebrate 70 years in London in 2022 and to celebrate the 50th anniversary in 2002, The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh attended a special Gala performance.
Having performed 28,200 times in London and having sold over 10 million tickets, this is beloved and brilliant play is a must-see! Book your tickets now!