The Mousetrap

I feel as though the other comments are quite unfair as the heating and seating can be slight problems, but it's not too unacceptable.

The plot itself was brilliant although I feel some loose-ends still needed to be put together as it left me asking a number of questions - I suppose this added to the show itself though!

The suspense of such a small theatre was amazing and I'd definitely recommend it.

I really like Agatha Christie but this performance was really bad. The actors were not very good, the stage setting was a nice living room but not very innovative and there where no changes to it and the play itself was not that convincing either with some quite contrived twists.

The theatre looked lovely, but the seats where very unconfortable, especially in the higher ranks, the staff was not very enthusiastic and the air conditioning did not work.

I do not recommend the experience.

The Mousetrap is the worst whodunnit I have ever seen. Agatha Christie's murderers always seem to rely upon frankly unfeasible coincidence, luck and timing in order to stand a chance of getting away with it and this play is no exception. The denouement is really unsatisfying because it fails to answer so many questions about the story. The theatre was half-empty (this was a Friday night) and the staff seemed bored and uninspired. Having said that, the theatre is a very attractive and bijou building. It's such a pity that it is being wasted on this ridiculous play.

The acting was competent, but the script fairly appalling. We all know that The Mousetrap is the West End's longest running play. The question that comes to mind is, "Why?"

Mousetrap was very enjoyable; I'm not a theatre aficionado but I know when I like or dislike something and this was very entertaining. 10/10 for the play. However, the theatre seating is terrible. If you are over 5' 6" be prepared to have your legs pressed heavily against the seat in front, the seats are not wide either so you will get to know your neighbours too!. The theatre claims to be air-conditioned but the heat was stifling - and this was in February! There was also a lot of noise generated by the staff clearing away the rubbish and empty bottles/glasses from the interval sales - this affected the audibility of the players' lines.I would not go to St Martin's again due to the extremely poor seating. 0/10 for comfort.

The shortcomings of the physical theatre spoils the experience of watching The Mousetrap, if you are prepared to endure this I am sure you will enjoy the evening.

The Mousetrap was value for money, wonderfully entertaining, lovely theatre and staff. Went to the theatre with an open mind and was pleasantly surprised at the twist and turns and humorous script. Edward Grace as Christopher Wren was especially brilliant - he will have a successful acting career, no doubt.

Didn't guess 'Whodunnit' - I doubt that many will!

It is even a thrill turning up! The St. Martin's Theatre is thoughtfully located nowhere near St. Martin's Lane (which itself is in Threatreland), but rather in West Street just off Charing Cross. To be honest, however, it is easy enough to find and only a short stroll from west end tubes (we got out at Picadilly).

The building is a charming old theatre, quite petite by some standards, but that adds to the dark atmosphere of the play that unfolds. Despite holding less than 500, the St. Martin's offers good seating and the plus is that you can see the stage fantastically well from pretty much any vantage point. Dress circle is the best choice but I watched it from the stalls a few years back and that was perfectly ok too.

The Theatre staff are excellent throughout, fast drinks service, helpful assistance, and an almost reverential level of professionalism; quite old-school and certainly appropriate for the occasion, but even then it was a pleasant surprise.

So the play itself is a classic Agatha Christie whodunnit, but one that hasn't been committed to book or film with the same treatment as the others - you won't see Joan Hicks or David Suchet solving this particular mystery on ITV3 any time soon!

It centres on a country hotel, Monkswell Manor, where the hosts (the Ralstons) and residents are informed by local police of a brutal murder in London and of a direct link to the manor and one, or more, of its current residents. The local police show up to investigate ...

What unravels is a typically complex, fascinating and suspenseful chain of events leading to the eventual unveiling of the murderer.

I can't tell you anything else as you are sworn to secrecy by the cast at the end of the play. Besides, they say there are several possible endings, so you can never be sure...

The original working title was Three Blind Mice, and the rather hauntingly simplistic melody is one of the few a/v effects in use, the director leaving the work of scene-setting to a brilliant set designer and admirable cast.

While several stage and screen luminaries (Dickie Attenborough, Sheila Sim) have trodden the boards during the play's 50+ year record-breaking run, the current cast seem perfectly at ease filling these shoes. I'm told the cast is now changed annually, as the tradition of breaking all records continues (both in terms of the play's duration, but also those who have appeared in it).

My personal recommendation is to go to the 5pm show on the Saturday, giving you plenty of time to amble around for a meal afterwards. Lhe later showing has its downside - after a biggish feed, you won't enjoy it as much, plus you have to find the time to eat early and still get to West Street in time to take your seats. The early show takes the stress out.

Great cast at the moment, Mollie Ralston very believeable and Paravachini (sp?) charmingly risible (the character, not the acting ability!), go to see it before they finally bring the curtain down on this most British of British traditions.