The Mousetrap

:For more meanings, see mousetrap (disambiguation).

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The Mousetrap is a play by Agatha Christie that started off as a short radio play called Three Blind Mice in honour of Queen Mary, the consort of King George V.

Related Topics:
Play - Agatha Christie - Queen Mary - King George V

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It began a record-shattering run on the London stage on 25 November 1952 at the Ambassadors' Theatre and has clocked up over 20,000 performances. It is still running to date (2005) at St Martin's Theatre.

Related Topics:
London - 25 November - 1952 - Ambassadors' Theatre - 2005 - St Martin's Theatre

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The original West End cast included Richard Attenborough.

Related Topics:
West End - Richard Attenborough

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Since the death of David Raven, who made history as the most durable actor for his 4575 performances as Major Metcalfe, the cast has been changed annually. The change usually occurs around November, and was the initiative of Sir Peter Saunders, the original producer. There is a tradition of the retiring leading lady and the new leading lady cutting the "Mousetrap cake" together.

Related Topics:
David Raven - November - Sir Peter Saunders

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The play is based on a short story, itself based on the radio play, but Christie asked that the story not be published as long as it ran as a play in the West End of London. It has still not been published as a book within the United Kingdom, but the script is available.

Related Topics:
Short story - West End of London - United Kingdom

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By tradition, audiences are asked not to reveal the identity of the killer to anyone outside the theatre at the end of each performance.

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