The Mousetrap: A guide to the West End's longest-running show

Posted on (Updated on 6 Aug 2025)

Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap is the world’s longest-running play of any kind. Staged in one of London's most intimate theatres that plays on the show's own claustrophobic atmosphere, this spectacular thriller is an absolute must-see. Here are all your frequently asked questions about The Mousetrap play answered.



What is The Mousetrap play about?

<p><span style="color:#000000"><strong>Agatha Christie</strong>&#39;s hit murder mystery based on a short&nbsp;story began as a radio play written for Queen Mary as a birthday present. It&nbsp;was originally broadcast under the title <em>Three Blind Mice</em> on 30 May 1947 before eventually being turned into a play.<em> </em></span></p> <p><span style="color:#000000"><em><a href="https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/27/the-mousetrap-tickets.aspx"><strong>The Mousetrap</strong></a></em> opens in the Great Hall of Monkswell Manor. News on the radio is blaring about the murder of Maureen Lyon but&nbsp;Mollie and Giles Ralston, the young newlyweds and new owners of the estate, hardly pay attention.&nbsp;But when the couple and their guests become snowed in and the phone lines go down, they realise the murderer is on the loose in the guesthouse and they have no idea whodunnit.</span></p>

<br/> Is the play Mousetrap still running?

<p><span style="color:#000000">Yes. <em>The Mousetrap</em> is still running in London&#39;s West End!</span></p>

<br/> How long is The Mousetrap play in London?

<p><span style="color:#000000"><em>The Mousetrap</em>&#39;s running time is <strong>approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes</strong> including an interval.</span></p>

<br/> Does The Mousetrap play have different endings?

<p><span style="color:#000000">Unlike&nbsp;the board game&nbsp;<em>Clue</em>&nbsp;and its subsequent film adaptation<em>,&nbsp;</em>Agatha Christie&#39;s play&nbsp;<em>The Mousetrap&nbsp;</em>does not have multiple endings, but in fact, one twist ending that goes against all clich&eacute;s of the whodunnit formula where a detective solves a crime and exposes the remaining plot points.</span></p>

<br/> The Mousetrap play who did it?

<p><span style="color:#000000">The murderer at Monkswell Manor is intended to remain a secret. Just like when&nbsp;<a href="https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/harry-potter-and-the-cursed-child-tickets"><em>Harry Potter and the Cursed Child</em></a>&nbsp;was first released in the West End, those&nbsp;who see&nbsp;<em>The Mousetrap</em>&nbsp;are sworn to secrecy and should never reveal the ending. In 2010, Christie&#39;s grandson&nbsp;<strong>Matthew Prichard</strong>&nbsp;was upset to find that ending of&nbsp;<em>The Mousetrap</em>&nbsp;was revealed on Wikipedia. Therefore, all those wishing to be taken by surprise should refrain from looking for plot spoilers online.</span></p>

<br/> When did The Mousetrap play start?

<p><span style="color:#000000"><em>The Mousetrap</em> received its <a href="https://www.londontheatredirect.com/tickets/premiere"><strong>world premiere</strong></a> at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham <strong>on 6 October 1952</strong>. The show then hit the road for a UK tour before beginning its run in London on 25 November 1952 at the <a href="https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/58/ambassadors-theatre.aspx"><strong>Ambassadors Theatre</strong></a> where it ran until 23 March 1974. It then immediately transferred to its current home at <a href="https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/25/st-martins-theatre.aspx"><strong>St Martin&#39;s Theatre</strong></a> where it runs in the West End still to this day.</span></p>

<br/> What is The Mousetrap London age suitability?

<p><span style="color:#000000">The Mousetrap play in London is recommended for ages 7 and up. Children under the age of 5 will NOT&nbsp;be admitted into the theatre and babes in arms are NOT&nbsp;permitted.</span></p>

<br/> What are some restaurants near The Mousetrap London?

<p><span style="color:#000000">The best restaurants near <em>The Mousetrap</em> include the famous&nbsp;yet&nbsp;pricy restaurant The Ivy, Dishoom, Pizza Pilgrims and Heliot Steakhouse for pre-theatre dining options and The Alchemist on St Martins Lane for excellent after-theatre nibbles.</span></p>

<br/> What are The Mousetrap London show times?

<p><span style="color:#000000">In order to allow for more time to clean the theatre in between performances, matinee performances of <em>The Mousetrap</em> on Thursdays and Saturdays have been moved from 4pm to 3pm. Evening performances of <em>The Mousetrap</em> in London take place at 7.30pm.</span></p>

<br/> Who is in the current cast of The Mousetrap in London?

<p><span style="color:#000000"><em>The Mousetrap</em>&nbsp;London cast stars&nbsp;</span><strong><span style="color:rgb(64, 64, 69)">Richard Leeming</span></strong><span style="color:#000000">&nbsp;as&nbsp;Christopher Wren,&nbsp;</span><strong><span style="color:rgb(64, 64, 69)">Rekha John-Cheriyan</span></strong><span style="color:#000000">&nbsp;as Mrs Boyle,&nbsp;</span><strong><span style="color:rgb(64, 64, 69)">Owen Oakeshott</span></strong><span style="color:#000000">&nbsp;as Major Metcalf,&nbsp;</span><strong><span style="color:rgb(64, 64, 69)">Lara Lemon</span></strong><span style="color:#000000">&nbsp;as Mollie Ralston,<strong>&nbsp;</strong></span><strong><span style="color:rgb(64, 64, 69)">Grace Darling</span></strong><span style="color:#000000">&nbsp;as Miss Casewell, and&nbsp;</span><strong><span style="color:rgb(64, 64, 69)">Harry Bradley</span></strong><span style="color:#000000">&nbsp;as Giles Ralston.</span></p>

<br/> Where is The Mousetrap playing in London?

<p><span style="color:#000000"><em>The Mousetrap</em> is showing at</span> <a href="https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/25/st-martins-theatre.aspx"><strong>St Martins Theatre in London&#39;s West End</strong></a><span style="color:#000000">. The venue is located near Charing Cross Train Station and Leicester Square Tube Station.</span></p>

<br/> When did The Mousetrap open in London?

<p><span style="color:#000000"><em>The Mousetrap </em>opened in London <strong>on 25 November 1952</strong> at the Ambassadors Theatre.</span></p>

<br/> What are the best seats at St Martins Theatre?

<p><span style="color:#000000">The best seats to see <em>The Mousetrap </em>at St Martin&#39;s Theatre are located in the Stalls with the&nbsp;best views of the stage&nbsp;found in seats 6-16 of rows D-H. Good value seats can be found in the Upper Circle, where you can generally get unobstructed views at a discounted price. But even if you don&#39;t manage to find cheap seats for <em>The Mousetrap</em>, St Martin&#39;s Theatre is not a large venue. Built as a pair with the Ambassadors Theatre and with just 541 seats in total, St Martin&#39;s Theatre is&nbsp;small enough to enjoy the show comfortably no matter where you sit.</span></p>

<br/> Where to buy tickets for The Mousetrap London?

<p><span style="color:#000000"><a href="https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/27/the-mousetrap-tickets.aspx"><strong>Tickets for <em>The Mousetrap</em></strong></a> are on sale with London Theatre Direct at affordable (and sometimes <a href="https://www.londontheatredirect.com/discounts">discounted</a>!)&nbsp;prices. Get the best seats at the best prices now.</span></p>


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By Nicholas Ephram Ryan Daniels

Ephram is a jack of all trades and enjoys attending theatre, classical music concerts and the opera.