It was a time when a young Princess Elizabeth began her long reign as Queen, Winston Churchill was Prime Minister and much essential food was still rationed. Harry Truman was President of the United States, Stalin was ruler of Russia and there was fighting in Korea.

Yet, Christie’s intriguing plot and witty script made the show an instant success and gave a nation the entertainment they were so readily craving.

After 18 months, star Richard Attenborough left, which would have been a lethal blow to most plays, but even with lesser-known actors, The Mousetrap strode triumphantly on. Publicity was self-perpetuating, helped by celebration parties which the stars generously supported. The fact that Agatha Christie herself rarely gave interviews made her occasional ones enormous news.

The Mousetrap has been translated into 27 different languages in more than 50 countries and- since its humble beginnings- an astonishing 390 actors and actresses have appeared in the play, there have been 221 understudies and 119 miles of shirts have been ironed.

Throughout the course of its run, The Mousetrap has secured three entries in the Guinness Book of Records: for the ‘longest continuous run of any show in the world’; ‘most durable’ actor (David Raven, who played Major Metcalf for 4,575 performances from 1957 until 1968); and ‘longest serving understudy’ (Nancy Seabrooke, as Mrs Boyle 6,240 times until 12th March 1994, and actually did so 72 times).

When Agatha Christie was once asked is The Mousetrap being kept on to beat more records? She replied, not boastingly but in some bewilderment, "What records are they to beat?”

On this, the year of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, The Mousetrap will also be celebrating its 60 years ruling of the theatre box office.

To commemorate this landmark occasion, St. Martin’s Theatre, London, is offering a pair of tickets to see the world’s longest running stage production.

To be in with a chance of winning this fantastic prize, along with a free bottle of champagne, brochure and souvenir programme, answer this simple question.

 
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