21 – 26 November

THE MOUSETRAP, Agatha Christie’s genre-defining murder mystery, visits Bath on its 70^th Anniversary tour starring TODD CARTY, GWYNETH STRONG and JOHN ALTMAN

As news spreads of a murder in London, a group of seven strangers find themselves snowed in at Monkswell Manor, a remote countryside guesthouse. When a police sergeant arrives, the guests discover – to their horror – that a killer is in their midst. One by one, the suspicious characters reveal their sordid pasts. Which one is the murderer? Who will be their next victim?

Quite simply a great piece of theatrical history, Agatha Christie’s genre-defining murder mystery The Mousetrap first entered the record books in April 1958 when it became the longest running show of any kind in the history of British Theatre. Richard Attenborough and his fellow film-star and wife, Sheila Sim took the leading roles when the production first opened in the West End at The Ambassadors Theatre in 1952. It played there for 21 years before moving to the adjacent St Martin’s Theatre in 1974 without missing a performance. The play is known for its twist ending, which the audience are traditionally asked not to reveal after leaving the theatre.

Todd Carty stars as Major Metcalf. Well known for his 12-year role as Mark Fowler in EastEnders from 1990 to 2003, Todd also played PC Kent in 118 episodes of The Bill. He made his debut on stage and television at a young age. Todd played the role of Lionel in the West End musical based on Lionel Bart’s life at the age of 4. As a teenager, he played Tucker in the BBC’s Grange Hill for five years, leading to his own series Tucker’s Luck, followed by later guest appearances in Grange Hill in 2003 and 2008. He also appeared on ITV’s Dancing on Ice and on tour. His stage credits also include the UK tours of Monty Python’s Spamalot, which played Bath in 2010, and The Business of Murder.

Gwyneth Strong stars as Mrs Boyle. Her many television credits include playing Cassandra Trotter in Only Fools and Horses, Dorothy in The Great Train Robbery, Janet Crossley in Real Women and Geraldine Clough in EastEnders. Gwyneth began her acting career at the age of 10 in Live Like Pigs at London’s Royal Court Theatre. As a teenager, she appeared in the 1973 film Nothing But The Night with Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing. Her many stage credits include A Round-Heeled Woman in the West End; Our House on UK Tour; Three Sisters for Out of Joint and Lyric Hammersmith and a recent UK tour of Ladies of Letters with Tessa Peake-Jones.

John Altman, who stars as Mr Paravicini, is well known on television for his role as Nick Cotton in EastEnders from 1985 to 1991, followed by guest appearances in 2000, 2001, 2008 and 2015. His many TV roles also range from The Real Marigold Hotel to Chef!, Minder and The Famous Five. John’s numerous stage credits include the role of Billy Flynn in Chicago The Musical and Oh What a Night! in the West End and on tour. He has starred in more than 30 pantomimes and toured the UK in Bouncers, Funny Money, Little Shop of Horrors and Kiss Me Kate. John has previously performed at the Theatre Royal Bath in Whodunnit? in 1986.

The role of Mollie Ralston is played by Joelle Dyson, whose previous appearances at the Theatre Royal include Agatha Christie’s Murder On The Orient Express this summer and the musical Dusty in 2018. Last month, Joelle appeared as Amber in EastEnders. Laurence Pears, who has previously performed at the Theatre Royal in Peter Pan Goes Wrong in 2015, appears as Giles Ralston. A Mischief regular, Laurence has also starred in the West End productions of Peter Pan Goes Wrong, A Comedy About A Bank Robbery and The Play That Goes Wrong. Previously seen in the West End production of The Mousetrap at St Martin’s Theatre and now touring the UK, Elliot Clay plays Christopher Wren and Essie Barrow plays Miss Casewell. Joseph Reed, whose recent stage credits include The Nobodies and The Wipers Times, appears as Detective Sergeant Trotter.

Following its 1952 premiere touring production, The Mousetrap opened in the West End where still to this day, it continues its record-breaking engagement at the St Martin’s Theatre having been performed there over 28,500 times, selling over 10 million tickets. The 70^th Anniversary tour, directed by Ian Talbot OBE, is visiting more than 70 venues across the country to celebrate its extraordinary milestone year.

Adam Spiegel, the producer of The Mousetrap, said: “What better way to celebrate 70 glorious years of The Mousetrap than by taking Agatha Christie’s world-famous whodunnit to over 70 towns and cities throughout the UK and Ireland. A true British classic, this beloved tale of intrigue and suspense is as enthralling today as it was when it first opened in 1952 and I am thrilled that audiences, of all ages, and from all corners of the country, will have the chance to see it in their local theatres.”

Agatha Christie (1890 – 1976) became a Dame of the British Empire in 1971. Her books have sold billions of copies around the world – many more than any other author except Shakespeare and The Bible. She was as successful as a playwright as she was as a novelist. Her most famous characters are Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. At one point, Agatha Christie had 3 plays running at the same time in the West End, a feat unmatched by any other woman.

The Mousetrap appears at the Theatre Royal Bath from Monday 21^st to Saturday 26^th November. To purchase tickets contact the Theatre Royal Bath Box Office on 01225 448844 or book online at www.theatreroyal.org.uk

Photo credit: Matt Crockett