One of the most famous stories Agatha Christie ever wrote has ironically never been published in book form in the United Kingdom. That's because it's a play - 'The Mousetrap' - and Christie requested that the story never be subjected to print lest the people who had not yet seen the play read the surprise ending. Since it's opening in 1952, 'The Mousetrap' has gone on to be performed over 23,000 times - and it's still running! Opening initially in London at the New Ambassadors Theatre on the 25th of November 1952, the play moved to St Martin's Theatre in March 1974 and remains there to this day. Many traditions remain from the first performance; for instance, the audience is asked not to reveal the ending to those who have not yet seen the play, and a recording that features in the play is still the same recording as that which was played on opening night. Though it is now tradition to change the cast annually, the present director - David Turner - has been in his role for many years, just as the original director (Peter Cotes) was before him. Any trip to London is undoubtedly incomplete without seeing 'The Mousetrap' - it truly is the epitome of West End shows.
Like most of Agatha Christie's works, 'The Mousetrap' is a good old fashioned murder mystery. Set in the countryside at a recently renovated Manor (now serving as a hotel), the play opens with young couple Mollie and Giles Ralston opening their hotel for business. Their patrons begin to arrive - first comes a jittery young man named Christopher Wren; then a bitter older woman named Mrs Boyle who complains from the outset about the hotel's poor service. Mrs Boyle is followed by Major Metcalf, who remains aloof though witnesses Mrs Boyle's complaints to the hotel owners. A little later another guest comes through the doors, a Miss Casewell, who remarks that the snow has become incredibly heavy and will keep the guests at the hotel for some time. The final guest, Mr Paravicini, arrives some time later, stating that he has driven his car into a snow drift and needs shelter until the storm passes. Although everything seems to be running smoothly, the guests bicker amongst one another as they are kept inside for hours on end. The following day the guests try to make do indoors, with Miss Casewell and Christopher Wren discussing their childhoods - Miss Casewell tells Christopher that hers was unhappy. Later in the day, Giles Ralston receives a phone call from the local police informing him that a detective is on his way to the Manor with some serious news. Each of the guests make comments that bring themselves under the suspicion of Giles and Mollie, especially after it is announced that a policeman is on his way over with some form of news.
Upon his arrival, the policeman - a Sergeant Trotter - informs the guests that he is investigating the murder of a woman who had served jail time (along with her husband) for child neglect. The woman had apparently been proclaimed guilty of the death of one of the three children in her foster care. The two other children - a boy and a girl now in their adulthood - are suspected of being involved in the woman's murder, and clues at the crime scene have led police to the Manor and indeed to the guests presently staying there. Questioning each of the guests about their background, the Sergeant is frustrated as each proclaim their innocence - though Metcalf informs Mrs Boyle that he knows she was the magistrate that put the children in the foster parents care in the first place. Later in the day Mrs Boyle is found murdered and all of the guests are placed under suspicion. Over the course of the following hours, each of the characters finds reason to accuse the others of their involvement. Both Mollie and Giles confess that they were in London on the day of the murder, though neither realized the other was there. Giles accuses Mollie of having an affair with Christopher Wren. Paravicini's sudden unexpected appearance at the Manor provokes suspicion, whilst Major Metcalf's prior knowledge of Mrs Boyle also causes consternation. Eventually it is revealed that 'Sergeant Trotter' is in fact a fraud - he is actually Georgie, the foster brother, and is responsible for both murders. Miss Casewell is Georgie's long-lost sister, and it is Major Metcalf who is in fact the undercover policeman. Paravincini, meanwhile, is a common criminal. Major Metcalf resolves the entire plot and thus the play ends.
Over the years 'The Mouse Trap' has had an illustrious array of cast members that have included Richard Attenborough and his wife Sheila Sim, David Raven, and Mysie Monte. At present the cast includes Harriet Benson, Matthew Carter, Peter Byren, Phillip Day, Chris Chilton, John Fleming, Cathy Walker and Jennifer Wilson. Presently the show is accepting bookings up until the 1st of November 2008; from the 25th of November (the anniversary of it's opening in London) it is likely the cast will once again change.