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

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.

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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.

The Mousetrap has always been aware of its long-running status

Pictured in 1964, the Ambassadors Theatre advertised the 12th year of The Mousetrap

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."

Agatha Christie with Richard Attenborough at the 10th anniversary of the play Mousetrap in 1962

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