The Mousetrap: The World’s Longest Continuously Running Play
The Mousetrap is a murder mystery play written by Agatha Christie. It was actually first written as a radio sketch under the name Three Blind Mice. But, ultimately, it premiered as a play in London’s West End in 1952. And its major claim to fame is that it holds the title for the longest continuously running play in history.
It first claimed this title in 1957 when it became the longest straight running play in British Theatre. Then, in 1958, it became the longest running play in London.
The Mousetrap has endured several threats to its record title since this time. The first came in 1974, when the play had to switch theatres — from The Ambassadors Theatre to St. Martin’s Theatre. But it managed to move theatres seamlessly, with no gap, thus maintaining its longest continuously running status.
The play continued for several more decades, surpassing over 27,500 performances. Then the second threat to its title came in March 2020. This time, the play shut down production, as did so many other public entertainment gatherings, as the coronavirus spread across the globe.
Does this count as the end to The Mousetrap’s title of the longest continuously running play? I do not believe we should hold this unusual period of human history against the play or its production team. But, even if we did, it would take years for any other play to surpass the run length of The Mousetrap, which unquestionably ran for 68 years.
Plus, the play has resumed performances. And a steady supply of audience members is likely still available, as the number one rule of the play is to not spoil the ending for others. The audience members are asked at the end of the play to keep the ending a secret. As long as audience members continue to fulfill this request, there will be many more generations of spectators to come see this longest continuously running play.
Further Reading: If you are a fan of literature and performance, while you are in London you should consider a visit to Harry Potter Studios.
