Agatha Christie Writes: The Mousetrap Opens
Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap opened at the Ambassadors Theatre in London on November 25, 1952, and has run continuously in the West End ever since, making it the longest-running play in history. The mystery, adapted from Christie's 1947 radio play Three Blind Mice, centers on guests at a snowbound guesthouse, one of whom is a murderer. Christie herself predicted it would run for about eight months. By tradition, audiences are asked not to reveal the ending. The play moved to St Martin's Theatre in 1974, where it remains. Over 10 million people have seen it in London. Christie gifted the rights to her grandson Matthew Prichard as a birthday present when he was nine; the royalties have made it one of the most valuable gifts in theatrical history. A film adaptation was contractually blocked until the West End run ends.
November 25, 1952
74 years ago
Key Figures & Places
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