Agatha Christie's "The Mousetrap" in Wellington

Back in late 2009, I travelled to London just before Christmas to visit my partner, who got us tickets to a West End show. Knowing me as she did, the show she chose was Agatha's Christie's famed The Mousetrap, the longest-running stage show in the world. I must say, despite the jet-lag threatening to have me nodding off in my seat at the St Martin's Theatre, that I really enjoyed the production. Including the infamous 'don't give away the ending', epilogue.

Now, Agatha Christie's classic whodunnit is heading to our shores as part of its Diamond Anniversary. Wow, 60 years. That's right - The Mousetrap opened in the West End in November 1952 (and apparently has since played over 24,000 performances). That's a lot of audience members sworn not to give the game away (more than 10 million). Kiwi audiences now have the chance to see the show next month in Wellington.

Here's a synopsis about the play:

At Monkswell Manor, the news on the radio reports that a murder that has recently taken place in London. Mollie and Giles Ralston, the young owners of the once-regal estate recently converted into a guesthouse, hardly notice the news. They are far too busy preparing for the arrival of their first guests and concerned that the heavy snowfalls may prevent the guests reaching their destination.

As the guests arrive safely and the Manor becomes snowed in, a policeman arrives on skis suspecting that one of the seven occupants may be the killer. After a second murder occurs in the Manor, Sergeant Trotter is convinced. During his interrogation, Sergeant Trotter uncovers the many mysterious secrets of everyone present, as he tries to solve the murder in true Christie style.

This new production is one of 60 professional shows that have been licensed worldwide in year-long global celebrations of the Diamond Anniversary, and reportedly these global productions are the first year time that The Mousetrap has been performed outside of London.

The Wellington production runs from Thursday, 15 November to Saturday, 24 November, at the St James Theatre. For more information about dates, ticket prices, and the production, click here.