Magnifying glasses at the ready for legendary murder mystery Mousetrap

Was it Christopher Wren, the lively but socially awkward young man played by Ryan Saunders? Saunders describes his character as “a bit of a puppy dog” who “pushes people’s buttons but doesn’t know he’s doing it”. But is he a murderer? Saunders isn’t giving anything away.

He told Curtain Call: “At the end of the show the audience is asked to make sure they don’t tell anyone who did it. People are really loyal to that, they don’t go and spill the beans and that’s the fun thing.”

The Mousetrap is the longest-running stage show, currently celebrating its 62nd year.

Saunders said: “Mousetrap is renowned –a lot of tourists watch it in London because it’s a real part of British culture. It’s nice to be able to take this show on tour so people who might not want to travel to London can still enjoy it.”

Interestingly, Saunders said: “Around the same time as murder mysteries were really taking off, the people of Britain were really getting to grips with the crossword. It was a similar thing - working out the clues. In our performances you hear people in the audience whispering to each other about who they think it is. They are really engaged.”

There are some old-fashioned aspects of the play but Saunders said the cast make it appealing to a modern audience.

He said: “We are able to play with some of the moments that an audience in the 60s would have got but that they might not get today. We help them to understand the reference.”

One thing which remains old-fashioned is the set and the costumes. Saunders said: “As soon as the curtain goes up, you see the incredible set and the stunning costumes and you know you are in the 1950s.”

The tour has been doing very well so far, with nine or 10 shows a week to keep up with demand..

Saunders said: “Selling out is just a delight. It’s a real joy to be playing to full houses.”

According to Saunders, the secret to the Mousetrap’s success is partly because there is something for everyone. There’s an element of farce, of comedy, and in the second act it becomes more like a thriller as it builds towards the conclusion.

Saunders said: “Children come and see it and are enthralled, and people come back and see it time and again - either because they can’t rememeber who the murderer is or they want to come back and see the journey of that character with the knowledge they did it. It’s just incredible.”

Get your magnifying glasses and detective hats at the ready and catch the legendary Mousetrap at the Grove Theatre in Dunstable from March 31 - April 5. Call the box office on 01582 602080 or book online at www.grovetheatre.co.uk.