The Mousetrap is a play in the murder mystery genre by Agatha Christie. The play is known for having the longest initial run of any play in the world, with 22,800 performances in the course of its (as of August 15, 2007) nearly 55-year run in the West End of London. The play is known for its twist ending, which at the end of every performance the audience is asked not to reveal. Agatha Mary Clarissa, Lady Mallowan, DBE (15 September 1890 – 12 January 1976), commonly known as Agatha Christie, was an English crime fiction writer. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... For other uses, see Play (disambiguation). ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with mystery_fiction. ... Agatha Mary Clarissa, Lady Mallowan, DBE (15 September 1890 – 12 January 1976), commonly known as Agatha Christie, was an English crime fiction writer. ... The interior of Covent Garden Market in the West End The West End of London is an area of Central London, England, containing many of the citys major tourist attractions, businesses, and administrative headquarters. ...

History of the play

The play began life as a short radio play broadcast on May 30, 1947 called Three Blind Mice in honour of Queen Mary, the consort of King George V. The play had its origins in the real-life case of the death of a boy, Dennis O'Neill, who died whilst in the foster care of a Shropshire farmer and his wife in 1945 (see Three Blind Mice for details). is the 150th day of the year (151st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The billing from the Radio Times issue of May 25-31, 1947, illustrating the nights programmes on radio for Queen Mary including the performance of Three Blind Mice Three Blind Mice is the name of a half-hour radio play written by Agatha Christie and broadcast on the BBC... Mary of Teck (Victoria Mary Augusta Louise Olga Pauline Claudine Agnes; 26 May 1867 – 24 March 1953) was the Queen Consort of George V. Queen Mary was also the Empress of India. ... George V (George Frederick Ernest Albert; 3 June 1865 – 20 January 1936) was the first British monarch belonging to the House of Windsor, which he created from the British branch of the German House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. ... Foster care is a system by which a certified, stand-in parent(s) cares for minor children or young people who have been removed from their biological parents or other custodial adults by state authority. ... Shropshire (pronounced /, -/), alternatively known as Salop[6] or abbreviated Shrops[7], is a county in the West Midlands of England. ...

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. The short story has still not been published within the United Kingdom but it has appeared in the United States in the 1950 collection Three Blind Mice and Other Stories. The script of the play was published by Samuel French as French's Acting Edition No. 153 in 1954 and is still in print. It was also included in the 1993 HarperCollins collection The Mousetrap and Other Plays (ISBN 0-00-224344-X). Outside of the West End, only one version of the play can be performed annually^[1]. Under the contract terms of the play, no film adaptation can be produced until the West End production has been closed for at least six months. This article is in need of attention. ... The interior of Covent Garden Market in the West End The West End of London is an area of Central London, England, containing many of the citys major tourist attractions, businesses, and administrative headquarters. ... Year 1950 (MCML) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Samuel French in 1851 Samuel French (1821 - 1898) was a U.S. entrepreneur who, together with British actor, playwright and theatrical manager Thomas Hailes Lacy, pioneered in the field of theatrical publishing and the licensing of plays. ... Year 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar). ... HarperCollins is a publishing company owned by News Corporation. ...

When she wrote the play, Christie gave the rights to her grandson Mathew Prichard as a birthday present. Prichard currently owns the rights to all of her works.

The play had to be renamed at the insistence of Emile Littler who had produced a play called Three Blind Mice in the West End before the second world war^[2]. The suggestion to call it The Mousetrap came from Christie's son-in-law, Anthony Hicks^[3]. In Shakespeare's play Hamlet, "The Mousetrap" is Hamlet's answer to Claudius's inquiry about the name of the play whose prologue and first scene the court has just observed (III, ii). The play is actually The Murder of Gonzago, but Hamlet answers metaphorically, since "the play's the thing" in which he intends to "catch the conscience of the king." Mushroom cloud from the nuclear explosion over Nagasaki rising 18 km into the air. ... For other uses, see Hamlet (disambiguation). ...

Theatrical performances

As a stage play, The Mousetrap had its world premiere at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham on October 6, 1952. Its pre-West End tour then took it to the New Theatre Oxford, the Manchester Opera House, the Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool, the Theatre Royal, Newcastle, the Grand Theatre Leeds and the Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham before it began its run in London on 25 November 1952 at the New Ambassadors Theatre. It ran at this theatre until Saturday, March 23, 1974 when it immediately transferred to the St Martin's Theatre next door where it reopened on Monday, March 25, thus keeping its "initial run" status. As of August 15, 2007 it has clocked up a record-breaking 22,800 performances, with the play still running at St Martin's Theatre. The director of the play for many years has been David Turner. Please wikify (format) this article or section as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... The New Theatre Oxford (also previous know as the Apollo Theatre Oxford) is the main commercial theatre in Oxford, England. ... Manchester Opera House The Opera House in Manchester, England is a 2000 seat commercial touring theatre which plays host to touring musicals, ballet, concerts and a spectactular Christmas pantomime. ... The Royal Court Theatre is a theatre at 1 Roe Street, Liverpool, England. ... The Theatre Royal is a Grade I listed building situated on Grey Street in Newcastle upon Tyne. ... The Grand Theatre (also known as Leeds Grand Theatre and Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House) is a Theatre and Opera House in the centre of Leeds, UK. It was designed by James Robinson Watson, chief assistant in the office of Leeds-based architect George Corson, and opened on 18... The Alexandra Theatre, commonly known as The Alex, is a theatre on Station Street in Birmingham, England. ... This article is about the British city. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... is the 329th day of the year (330th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1952 (MCMLII) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Ambassadors Theatre in April 2007 The Ambassadors Theatre (previously New Ambassadors Theatre), is a West End theatre located in West Street, near Charing Cross Road in the City of Westminster. ... is the 82nd day of the year (83rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. ... St. ... is the 84th day of the year (85th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... St. ...

The original West End cast included Richard Attenborough as Sergeant Trotter and his wife Sheila Sim as Mollie Ralston. Since the retirement of Mysie Monte and David Raven, who both made history by remaining in the cast for more than 11 years each in their roles as Mrs Boyle and Major Metcalf, the cast has been changed annually. The change usually occurs around late November around the anniversary of the play's opening, 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 a "Mousetrap cake" together. West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre in London, England, or sometimes more specifically for shows staged in the large theatres of Londons Theatreland. Along with New Yorks Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre... Richard Samuel Attenborough, Baron Attenborough, CBE (born 29 August 1923) is an English actor, director, producer, and entrepreneur. ... Sheila Beryl Grant Attenborough, Baroness Attenborough (born 5 June 1922), known professionally by her maiden name Sheila Sim, is a British film and theatre actor, and the wife of actor Richard Attenborough. ... Mysie Monte (1892 - 9 January 1983) was an English stage and television actress best known for her long-running portrayal of Mrs Boyle in Agatha Christies play The Mousetrap at the New Ambassadors Theatre. ... David Raven was a English actor who is remembered for playing Major Metcalfe in 4575 performances of Agatha Christies play The Mousetrap in London. ... There are two Australian Peter Saunders involved in social research, they are: Professor Peter Saunders is Director of the Social Policy Research Centre at the University of New South Wales and was elected Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia in 1995) [1] Professor Emeritus Peter Saunders...

The play has also made theatrical history by having an original "cast member" survive all the cast changes since its opening night. The late Deryck Guyler can still be heard, via a recording, reading the radio news bulletin in the play to this present day. The set has been changed in 1965 and 1999 during the run however one prop survives from the original opening – the clock which sits on the mantelpiece of the fire in the main hall. Deryck Guyler (April 29, 1914 - October 7, 1999) was a versatile British actor, equally at home with comedy and classical/character roles, but best known for his portrayal of officious short-tempered middle-aged men in sitcoms such as Please, Sir and Sykes. ...

Notable milestones in the play's history include:

• April 22, 1955 – 1,000th performance
• September 13, 1957 – Longest-ever run of a "straight" play in the West End
• April 12, 1958 – Longest-ever run of a show in the West End with 2239 performances (the previous holder was Chu Chin Chow)
• December 9, 1964 – 5,000th performance
• December 17, 1976 – 10,000th performance
• December 16, 2000 – 20,000th performance

In May 2001 (during the London production's 49th year, and to mark the 25th anniversary of Christie's death) the cast gave a semi-staged Sunday performance at the Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea as a guest contribution to the Agatha Christie Theatre Festival 2001, a 12-week history-making cycle of all of Agatha Christie's plays presented by Roy Marsden's New Palace Theatre Company. Chu Chin Chow is a musical comedy written, produced and directed by Oscar Asche, with music by Frederic Norton, based (with minor embelishments) on the story of Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves. ... Roy Marsden as Neil Burnside in The Sandbaggers Roy Marsden (born on June 25, 1941 in Stepney, London) is a British actor. ...

A staging at the Toronto Truck Theatre in Toronto, Ontario, that opened on 19 August 1977 became Canada's longest running show, before finally closing on 18 January 2004 after a run of twenty-six years and over 9,000 performances. Motto: Ut Incepit Fidelis Sic Permanet (Latin: Loyal she began, loyal she remains) Capital Toronto Largest city Toronto Official languages English (de facto) Government Lieutenant-Governor David C. Onley Premier Dalton McGuinty (Liberal) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament House seats 107 Senate seats 24 Confederation July 1, 1867 (1st) Area... is the 231st day of the year (232nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1977 (album) by Ash. ... is the 18th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Plot

The story is about a young couple, Mollie and Giles Ralston, who have started up a new hotel in the converted Monkswell Manor. They are snowed in together with four guests and an additional traveller, who ran his car into a snowdrift. Detective Sergeant Trotter arrives on skis to inform the group that he believes a murderer is on his way to the hotel, following the death of Miss Maureen Lyon in London.

When one of the guests – Mrs Boyle – is killed, they realize that the murderer is already there. Although the suspicion falls first on Christopher Wren, an erratic young man who fits the description of the supposed murderer, it quickly transpires that the killer could be any one of the guests, or even the hosts themselves.

Identity of the murderer

Towards the end of the play, Sergeant Trotter assembles everyone in the dining room with the plan to set a trap for one of the suspects, but in the play's twist ending, it is revealed that Sergeant Trotter is not a policeman at all, and is in fact the murderer.

By tradition, at the end of each performance, audiences are asked not to reveal the identity of the killer to anyone outside the theatre, to ensure that the end of the play isn't spoiled for future audiences. This ritual has become the occasional butt of jokes, such as Stephen Fry's revelation of the ending on a television programme, as the play has been running for so long that its twist is fairly common knowledge. Stephen John Fry (born 24 August 1957) is an English comedian, writer, actor, humourist, novelist, columnist, filmmaker and television personality. ...

Characters

• Mollie Ralston – proprietor of Monkswell Manor, and wife of Giles. Although initially above suspicion, it later transpires Mollie made a secret trip to London on the same day Maureen Lyon was murdered.

• Giles Ralston – husband of Mollie who runs Monkswell Manor with his wife. The very first suspect, as Giles enters the stage dressed in clothing similar to that worn by the killer. It transpires Giles also made a secret trip to London on the day Maureen Lyon was murdered. Even Mollie begins to suspect Giles, when she realises she has known him just a year and knows nothing of his background.

• Christopher Wren – the first guest to arrive at the hotel, Wren is a hyperactive young man, who is depicted as acting in a very peculiar manner. He admits he is running away from something, but refuses to admit what. The audience quickly leaps to the conclusion he was one of the abused children, driven schizophrenic by repeated abuse and now a murderer. Wren claims to be named after the architect of the same name.

• Mrs Boyle – a critical spinster of a woman who is pleased by nothing she observes. A former magistrate, we discover she had placed the three children in Maureen Lyon's care. Shortly afterwards she is murdered and therefore the only character above suspicion.

• Major Metcalf – retired from the army, little is known about Major Metcalf. Suspicion falls upon him once it is revealed that the father of the three siblings was in the army at the time their mother died, which led to them being put into care.

• Miss Casewell – a strange, aloof woman who speaks offhandedly about the horrific experiences of her childhood. Refusing to give any more away, the natural conclusion is that she is one of the abused children, here to seek a terrible revenge.

• Mr Paravicini – a man of unknown provenance. He appears to be affecting a foreign accent and artificially aged with make-up. Who he is or where he comes from remains a mystery and his refusal to answer a direct question only underlines this point. The audience is encouraged to theorise he is the children's father, disguised as an elderly foreigner and returned from the army to wreak a terrible revenge.

• Sergeant Trotter – a policeman who arrives in a snow storm to protect the guests from the murderer.

• Maureen Lyon (unseen in the play) – the first victim. Mrs Lyon's real name is Mrs Stanning and she was imprisoned for abusing three siblings – the Corrigan children – left in her and her husband's foster care. Mr Stanning died in prison and upon her release, Mrs Stanning moved to London, seeking anonymity under the name of Maureen Lyon, where she was murdered.

Sir Christopher Wren, (20 October 1632–25 February 1723) was a 17th century English designer, astronomer, geometrician, and the greatest English architect of his time. ...

Synopsis of scenes

The action of the play passes in the Great Hall of Monkswell Manor. The time – the present.

 ACT I SCENE 1 – Late afternoon SCENE 2 – The following day after lunch ACT II Ten minutes later. 

External links

• Information about the play and its history

References