The Mousetrap

[stevej678]

The UK tour of The Mousetrap is coming to Manchester in a couple of weeks.

While it would feel like I was wasting precious time in London going to see this at the St Martin's Theatre, I wondered whether people think it's worth catching during its short run much closer to home?

Any thoughts good or bad would be appreciated! 

[Deleted]

Why would it seem like wasting time in London? (I know some folk live a way away from the capital so time here is considered "precious"...) I wouldn't bother with the tour version. You have to see it in London, where it belongs! It's a museum piece, and belongs on your tick list of things to do here: Kensington museums, London Eye, a river boat on the Thames, Trafalgar Square, National Gallery... The Mousetrap!

[bellboard27]

It is an oddity, The Mousetrap. I am all for a good murder mystery, but this did not work well for me. However, it is a phenomenon. It is unique in theatre history and I went (some time ago) for that reason.

If you do go to St Martins, it is worth giving yourself some time beforehand to look around. The walls, bars, etc., have a lot of memorabilia. I would recommend the day seats. The front row is a bit of a look-up, but it is the only way to get a discount. They also do not seem to sell quickly, so it makes it easy to make a decision to go or not on the day. Also you are not put off by the fact that most of the rest of the stalls are empty!

By the way, the murderer is ….

[Deleted]

Yeah, I don't think The Mousetrap is very important as a play, but I do think it is a thoroughly valid piece of theatrical history. If you want to tick it off your list eventually, you really should do it in London for the historical value.

[vdcni]

If it was touring near me I'd go and see it but that's because Louise Jameson is in it.

I did see it in London years ago but can't remember much about it.

[Deleted]

I feel that stevejohnson678's initial hunch was probably right. When you have a limited time in London, it's best to seek out what you really want to see, and that you can't see at home. In the touring production at your more local theatre, you'd see pretty much the same show although it's true that you wouldn't get the St Martin's atmosphere of sitting in a mass of tourists who don't understand English.

[Deleted]

It's not the sitting surrounded by tourists thing though, it's the whole atmosphere of the St Martin's Theatre... It's just perfect for this play, and seems like a little museum itself.

[stefy69]

Jun 16, 2016 10:13:31 GMT @caiaphas said:

It's not the sitting surrounded by tourists thing though, it's the whole atmosphere of the St Martin's Theatre... It's just perfect for this play, and seems like a little museum itself.

Couldn't agree more ! I went 3 years ago and the play was O K but seeing the St Martins Theatre from the inside was the real highlight.

[Deleted]

I've never seen it although I do know the ending

Hadn't realised they do day seats so I might have a go at that when I have an afternoon free sometime.

[Deleted]

Jun 16, 2016 10:53:48 GMT @xanderl said:

I've never seen it although I do know the ending

Hadn't realised they do day seats so I might have a go at that when I have an afternoon free sometime.

Shame on you. It's people like you who keep this running.

However, as a resident of Cardiff, I have benefited from some of the many projects supported by the Mousetrap Settlement so I hope it keeps raking in the profits for evermore.

[CG on the loose]

While I hear all the cries of 'history' and 'atmosphere', I too had failed to see this in London because there always seemed something more pressing (it wasn't like it was showing any signs of closing soon!) but I did see it on tour and was glad I did. If that's the only way you're likely to see it, Steve, I say 'go for it!'

[BurlyBeaR]

Same here, I saw it when the tour first came to Manchester. It's a creaky old thing but has novelty value simply by being what it is. I would have been disappointed to miss out on something more interesting in London but I was happy to tick it off as "seen". I was a huge AC fan as a kid too, read every book (and there are a lot) so there was always something missing.

[Marwood]

It won't be the end of the world if I never get to see it, but I'm kind of curious to see it in London if I have a weekday off work - what's the best time to dayseat for it?

[stevej678]

Thanks for all the advice and comments, really helpful and it's persuaded me to make the effort to see this.

As others have summed up very well, there always seems to be something more appealing than The Mousetrap in London and while I've always regarded the play with curiosity, I don't think I would ever really find the motivation to see it at St Martin's when there's so many other shows in the vicinity to choose from. Perhaps its longevity is also a factor - there's always a next time to catch the Mousetrap!

I can understand the appeal of seeing the show in its long-time London home which it sounds like complements the production well but sitting among an audience of tourists (as opposed to those highly cultured souls who the production will doubtless cater for in Manchester ) makes the St Martin's experience somewhat less enticing.

From the generally positive comments it sounds like this is definitely worth seeing though so I'll get booked for the Manchester Opera House in a fortnight's time!

[Deleted]

I'm assuming this is the thread for the West End production and the tour? Well the West End production has just extended booking to January 6, 2018, now the furthest ahead booking extension currently in the West End if I am not mistaken?

www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatre-news/news/the-mousetrap-extends-to-january-2018

[crabtree]

I'm afraid it is a ridiculously poor play, and remarkably few twists. Not exactly a thriller.

[sarahh]

Hi Mousetrap Fans!

Interval Productions are running a silent auction to raise money for their new British musical, Muted, and have an amazing Mousetrap lot up for grabs!

Current cast member Timothy O'Hara (playing Christopher Wren) is offering a programme signed by all of the cast, two stalls tickets (anytime before the cast change on November 19th) and a tour of the backstage area after the show - including a visit to the snow room, and a go on the wind machine!

If you fancy it, just go to: www.intervalproductions.com/auction and place a bid!

Sarah x

[DuchessConstance]

Mousetrap fans?

[ncbears]

Some friends are headed to London and asked about seeing The Mousetrap - and after giving them all the reasons stated here (history, the theatre itself), they wanted to know about discount tickets. When we went in 2014, I know we got some slightly discounted tickets, but for the life of me, I can't recall whether that was asking nicely at the box office or at a ticket booth. Other than day seats, is anyone aware of current deals? (Did not find any on theatremonkey's site)

[Deleted]

Jun 27, 2016 7:36:04 GMT crabtree said:

I'm afraid it is a ridiculously poor play, and remarkably few twists. Not exactly a thriller.

I concur. After seeing Gaslight recently, as well as An Inspector Calls, they are far and beyond better than The Mousetrap, for unpredictability and plot. I found myself second guessing most of the story here, and considering I went into it without knowing a thing, I was right most of the time. It's a harmless little play but the sight lines in the rear Upper circle are dire and the legroom in the front is next to non-existent.

[theplayer]

I finally went to see this (performance number 27,475. I love that board in the lobby!) and I really enjoyed it.

I didn't know anything about the play. I'm glad I went in blind. It's a well constructed mystery, though I don't know how many people in the audience stick to the tradition of keeping the secret.

Long live the Mousetrap!

[lynette]

I always said I would wait til they announce the last few weeks! Bet I never see it.

[lynette]

Well I been and gone and seen it tonight. I went because I have a friend in it and it is pretty obvious this play will outlast me. It isn’t a great play is it? I think the ins and outs of the plot probably work better in the original book. I love the characters though and the set up is classic of course. I just couldn’t help thinking of The Real Inspector Hound and then I was thinking how brilliant An Inspector Calls is. I didn’t guess the actual killer but I was very, very close. I do read a lot of detective fiction 😂
Full house, very appreciative and lots of kids so all good for the future of theatre, eh?

[talkingheads]

I've always put off seeing this because, as others have pointed out, it's not like it's closing soon. There's always a part of my brain thinking that for a play that's been running for so long the prices are still pretty high! What are the day seat prices like? I do love a good mystery and of course the novelty value of this one will be an added bonus!

[andrew]

Jul 19, 2019 13:48:08 GMT @theatremonkey said:

£29.50 usually. Sometimes less, depending how busy it is.

I'm sure the little sign in the box office said £19.50 for Mon-Thurs but I didn't look at it that closely. I did see the massive sign saying "No Discounts EVER" or something to that effect hanging above the box office. So when I turned up at 2pm and saw that I got a little bit afraid of launching into my "Hi how are you, was just wondering if you've got some unsold day seats or any other deals for a family on a budget..." spiel. I was taking my two parents who have quite specific theatrical requirements. No musicals because Dad won't like it, nothing too harrowing (we went to see Frozen last year and I still get criticised for taking them to a play about child sexual abuse), they don't want rubbish seats, but I don't want to spend £300 on something, and they weren't sure when in the day they'd want to go, so no booking ahead. Easy peasy!

Anyway I'd never seen the Mousetrap and my mother suggested it, so I said we'd try and get dayseats. In the end we turned up at around 1pm and there were two dayseats left in row A at the far left. I said alas, we are 3, is there anything we can do? And the kind lady in the box office offered us row B seats at the £29.50 price tag. These (I think) were better than row A, no looking up, better overall appreciation of the stage. A real winner.

Gladly, my parents enjoyed the play, and on the way out were picking out their favourite actors. We all really liked Haley Flaherty, and I got to pop in my one piece of trivia about her, that she's from a few miles away from where they live in Scotland. I was less sure about Alan Magor, who's accent was a bit unconvincing, and particularly during the ending I felt didn't nail the slightly complicated emotions his character faces. I was a bit peeved that up close the set reveals some of it's secrets. A lot of the wood panelling is very fake, some plaster work is just painted on to look 3D etc. I read the set has been re-done 3 times, given it's longevity why have none of them been to create a realistic set? 

I see above people are criticising the simplicity of the plot, I too had an inkling who the critical characters might turn out to be, but I guess it wasn't 'obvious', and there was a lot of little red herrings thrown in throughout to keep things interesting. It was nice to finally see something that is such a famous aspect of the West End. Long-runners left on my list are now just Mamma Mia (please no) and Thriller LIVE! (I'd rather die), and ultimately whilst it wasn't the most thrilling thing I've ever seen, The Mousetrap was a bit of fun that kept me entertained for a few hours.