Longest continuous production: The Mousetrap has the longest running play in history, from 1952 to 2020 (resumed in 2021 after a brief closure due to COVID).
Genre: Murder mystery play set in a rural English guest house.
Setting
Location: Guest house run by Molly and Giles Ralston, who are new to the hospitality business.
Initial Situation: Concern about their first set of guests and potential issues.
Main Characters (Guests)
Christopher Wren: Avant-garde bohemian, interested in architecture and aesthetics.
Mrs. Boyle: Older, matronly woman with conservative views on guest house management.
Major Metcalf: Stoic, retired military officer, characterized with large mutton chops.
Miss Casewell: Represents a new woman type figure, depicted as sharp and somewhat Bohemian.
Mr. Paravesini: Described as foreign, elderly, and flamboyant, but his character raises racial concerns in modern context.
Plot Introduction
Murder in London: Police reach out to Molly about a recent murder of an older woman linked to the guest house.
Connection to Past Case: The murder relates to the Longridge Farm case involving three orphans and previous abuse.
Key Events
Mrs. Boyle's Connection: Mrs. Boyle was a magistrate involved in the case that led to the orphans' abuse.
Murder of Mrs. Boyle: She is murdered in act one while listening to the radio.
Murder Scene: Lights go out, and she is strangled; Molly discovers her body.
Detective Sergeant Trotter's Role: Initially there to prevent murder, then shifts to solving Mrs. Boyle's murder.
Suspicion and Clues
Suspects and Their Motives: Each guest presents a potential motive for being involved in the murders.
Giles: His attire fits the description of a suspect in the murder case.
Christopher Wren: An erratic character with a questionable past (deserted military service).
Major Metcalf and Miss Casewell: Could be linked to the orphans’ history.
Suspense Building Techniques: Christie suggests that any of the characters could be the murderer, heightening tension and intrigue.
Themes and Techniques
Character Inconsistencies: Each character conceals their identity or past, revealing the theme of deception.
Suspense and Clues: The play builds suspense by providing clues that lead to multiple potential suspects, making it challenging to predict the true murderer.
Conclusion
Agatha Christie's Method: Effective in creating ambiguity and engaging the audience in the mystery, keeping them guessing until the end.