The Mousetrap: Book Tickets Now

Agatha Christie's murder mystery, running in the West End since 1952 and at St Martin's Theatre since 1974.

The Mousetrap

Highlights

Experience the world’s longest-running theatrical play.

Dive into a captivating and suspenseful murder mystery filled with clever humor and surprising developments.

Enjoy a timeless classic that has mesmerized audiences for over seventy years.

Attend the iconic West End production of Agatha Christie’s masterful work.

Become part of the unfolding mystery with every clue and character interaction.

Good to Know About The Mousetrap

Running time is about 2 hours 5 minutes: That includes a 20-minute interval.

Recommended for ages 7 and over: Children under 5 are not permitted entry.

Under-16s must sit next to an adult aged 18 or over: Every child needs their own ticket.

There is an official content warning: It covers instances of mild danger off set, the use of a gun, a murder, and sensitive subject matter including child cruelty.

The house opens 30 minutes before the performance: The Dress Circle bar opens earlier, an hour before.

There is no lift in the building: From the foyer the Stalls are 29 steps down, the Upper Circle 28 up, and the Dress Circle 3 up.

Step-free access is by ramp, to the Dress Circle: Staff put one out at the West Street entrance and a second over the steps up to the Circle. The Stalls and Upper Circle are not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.

Bags have to fit under or in front of your seat: There is no cloakroom, so anything larger has to stay outside the theatre.

About The Mousetrap

Mollie Ralston in The Mousetrap at St Martin's Theatre

A blizzard cuts Monkswell Manor off with five guests and its two owners inside. A detective arrives on skis to say a killer is loose, and then one of the guests is murdered, which settles where the killer is. The rest of the evening is working out which one.

It has been running since 1952, which makes the secret one of the best-kept in theatre.

Interesting Facts About The Mousetrap

The longest-running stage play anywhere: West End opening November 1952, with one 14-month break from March 2020 to May 2021.

It started as a half-hour radio play, Three Blind Mice, commissioned after Queen Mary asked the BBC for something by Christie for her eightieth birthday.

Christie gave the rights to her grandson Mathew Prichard for his ninth birthday.

The clock above the fireplace has survived from the 1952 opening night, as has the original newsreader recording. The set itself was rebuilt to the original design in 2000.

John Woolf bought the film rights in 1956, on condition that no film appear until six months after the run ends. None has.

At the curtain call the audience is asked to keep the murderer's identity to themselves.

Over ten million tickets sold. Queen Elizabeth II attended the fiftieth-anniversary gala in November 2002.

The 30,000th West End performance came in March 2025, the year after fifty years at St Martin's.

The Mousetrap - Highlights in Pictures

Mrs Boyle in The Mousetrap at St Martin's Theatre

Giles Ralston in The Mousetrap at St Martin's Theatre

Mr Paravicini in The Mousetrap at St Martin's Theatre

St Martin's Theatre

West Street, London WC2H 9NZ, just off Cambridge Circus

Around 550 seats across three levels: Stalls, Dress Circle and Upper Circle

Next door is the Ambassadors, Sprague's matching half of the pair

Seven Dials, Soho and Covent Garden restaurants are all a few minutes away

Getting There

By Tube
By Bus
By Car

By Tube

Leicester Square, on the Northern and Piccadilly lines, is about two minutes away.
Covent Garden, on the Piccadilly line, is roughly five minutes. Neither is step-free: Leicester Square is stairs and escalators only, and Covent Garden's lifts leave a flight down to the platforms.

St Martin's Theatre - Facilities and Accessibility

Christopher Wren in The Mousetrap at St Martin's Theatre

There is a bar on each of the three levels and a single kiosk selling merchandise and programmes, which staff stamp with the performance number.

The general toilets are on every level and, with no lift, all reached by stairs. Drinks in plastic cups can be taken into the auditorium.
Step-free access is through the main West Street entrance, where staff put out a removable ramp, and a second ramp covers the steps up to the Dress Circle.
There are two wheelchair spaces, one in Box C and one in the Dress Circle, both with companion seating. Transferring to an aisle seat is possible and staff will store the chair.
The adapted toilet is on the Dress Circle level, reached from the side entrance on Tower Court rather than the foyer. Hearing assistance is a radio-frequency system covering all three levels, working with a headset, a pendant or a T-coil aid, available on request.

FAQs about The Mousetrap at St Martin's Theatre

What is the story?

A guest house snowed in with five guests and its two owners, a warning that a killer is loose, and then a murder.

How long is the show?

About 2 hours 5 minutes, including a 20-minute interval.

What age is the show recommended for?

Recommended for ages 7 and over. Children under 5 are not permitted entry.

Do children need an adult with them?

Under-16s must be seated next to an adult who is at least 18, and every child needs their own ticket.

Are there any content warnings?

Yes: instances of mild danger off set, the use of a gun, a murder, and sensitive subject matter including child cruelty.

When does the house open?

Thirty minutes before the performance. The Dress Circle bar opens an hour before.

Is there a lift?

No. From the foyer it is 29 steps down to the Stalls and 28 up to the Upper Circle. The Dress Circle is 3 steps up, and staff can ramp those.

Where is the wheelchair seating?

Two spaces, in Box C and the Dress Circle, both with companion seating. Transferring to an aisle seat is possible and staff will store the chair.

Where is the step-free entrance?

The main West Street entrance, where staff put out a removable ramp. A second ramp covers the steps up to the Dress Circle, the only level reachable without stairs.

Can I bring a bag or a suitcase?

Bags must fit under or in front of your seat, and there is no cloakroom, so anything larger has to stay outside.

Can I tell people the ending?

The cast asks the audience not to, at the curtain call.

Which Tube station is closest?

Leicester Square, about two minutes away on the Northern and Piccadilly lines. Not step-free, and nor is Covent Garden.