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The Mousetrap: St Martin's Theatre marks 50 years of hosting play

News imageGetty Images An evening exterior of the St Martins Theatre where Agatha Christie's famous whodunnit, the Mousetrap has been running for over 70 years, on 5th January 2022, in London, England. (Photo by Richard Baker / In Pictures via Getty Images)Getty Images

A theatre has celebrated 50 years of hosting the world's longest-running play, Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap.

The production had previously been around the UK and opened in the West End in 1952 at the London Ambassador's Theatre, before moving next door to its current home in St Martin's Theatre.

The plot involves a group of strangers suspected of murder who become snowed in at a remote countryside guesthouse.

There have been nearly 30,000 performances.

It became the UK's longest running play in 1957, only pausing for two days when it moved theatre - until the Covid pandemic and lockdown forced it to close for a year and two months in March 2020.

News imageGetty Images A leaflet advertising a production of the Agatha Christie play, 'The Mousetrap', in its 8th year at the Ambassadors Theatre, London, 1960. The play remains as billed here: 'The longest running play of any kind in the history of the British theatre'. (Photo by Culture Club/Getty Images)Getty Images
The Mousetrap has always been aware of its long-running status
News imageGetty Images The Ambassadors Theatre showing Agatha Christie's 'The Mousetrap' the play now in its 12th year, opened its run on 25th November 1952, West Street, London, 15th May 1964.Getty Images
Pictured in 1964, the Ambassadors Theatre advertised the 12th year of The Mousetrap
News imageGetty Images The cast of the long-running Agatha Christie play 'The Mousetrap' celebrate the production's 20th year, London, UK, 24th November 1972. At the front are actresses Pamela Charles (left) and Alice Fraser (right). (Photo by Stan Meagher/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)Getty Images
The cast celebrates 20 years of the production in 1972

Producer Adam Spiegel said: "Millions of theatregoers have experienced the show in the intimate atmosphere and rich historical backdrop that St Martin's provides.

"It is the perfect setting for our timeless production."

News imageGetty Images Agatha Christie with Richard Attenborough at the 10th anniversary of the play Mousetrap. 25th November 1962. (Photo by Daily Herald/Mirrorpix via GettyGetty Images
Agatha Christie with Richard Attenborough at the 10th anniversary of the play Mousetrap in 1962
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