Agatha Christie's classic murder mystery, the world's longest-running play, on its 75th anniversary tour, with Susan Penhaligon and Nicholas Bailey.
The Mousetrap is coming to Devonshire Park Theatre from 16 to 21 November, as part of its 75th Anniversary Tour across the UK and Ireland. It's Agatha Christie's classic murder mystery, and it's probably the most famous play you've never seen. It started as her 1952 radio play Three Blind Mice and opened in the West End on one strict condition: no audience member or press person was ever to give away the plot. Christie herself gave it eight months at most, yet it's been running at St Martin's Theatre for over 70 years and more than 30,000 performances. That same rule still stands today—you're expected to keep the ending a secret.
This production brings the whole ensemble to Eastbourne. Nicholas Bailey plays Major Metcalf, Susan Penhaligon is Mrs Boyle, and Emily Laing and Jack Hardwick take on Mollie and Giles Ralston. Thomas Barrett is Christopher Wren, Clare Duffy plays Miss Casewell, James Peake is Mr Paravicini, and Alfie Richards is Detective Sergeant Trotter. It's a full cast for a story that's built on who's lying and who's telling the truth, so there's plenty of character to follow.
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Beyond the long run, there's a bit of a story to why it's never been on screen. Christie stipulated that a film adaptation could only be made six months after the West End production closed—a clause that's made a movie unlikely, given it's still running. This tour is the 75th anniversary run, and it's recommended for audiences aged 12 and over. The theatre is at Devonshire Park Theatre, Compton Street, Eastbourne, BN21 4BW, with performances running from Monday 16 to Saturday 21 November.
