Last week i was asked to create a cake to mark the 26,000th performance of Agatha Christie’s play, The Mousetrap. This incredible achievement has been made during the 63 years since it’s first performance in Nottingham on 6th October 1962. Agatha Christie attended the very first performance and is quoted in her autobiography as saying that she gives it no longer than a 14 month stint in the West End.
It started off it’s run in London in 1952 at the Ambassadors Theater, where in 1958 it became the longest running show to have ever run in the West End, with it’s 2239th performance. This overtook the previous longest running play, Chu Chin Chow, which i’m not sure what it’s about but sounds slightly racist, so probably for the best that it’s run ended. After it’s obvious success due to popularity, it was soon moved to the larger St Martin’s Theatre next door where it has remained to this day.
Along with it’s duration, the play holds a host of other Guinness world records, including late Nancy Seabrooke for a record breaking 15 years as an understudy. Now that is commitment. For other interesting facts including how many ton’s of ice cream have been sold, visit the website at www.the-mousetrap.co.uk.
So if you haven’t been to see this London institution yet, then what are you waiting for? you’ve had 63 years! Although it doesn’t look like it will be going anywhere soon, so there’s no rush i suppose.
(oh and if you want to see the finished cake, it can be found here!)
