It’s all systems this week at Pieter Toerien’s Theatre On The Bay with the return of ‘A Christie for Christmas'.
Starring West End star Mark Wynter, with Malcolm Terrey, Michele Maxwell, Melissa Haiden, Shannyn Fourie, Aidan Scott, Mark Sykes and Matthew Lotter. The production is directed by Jonathan Tafler, who himself an actor (Carry On Columbus, Yentl) has recently played the role of Mr Paravicini in the St.Martin’s production of The Mousetrap on the West End.
The scene is set when a group of people gathered in a guest house, Monkswell Manor and cut off by the snow discover, to their horror, that there is a murderer in their midst; who can it be?
One by one the suspicious characters reveal their sordid pasts until at last, nerve-shredding moment the identity and the motive are finally revealed.
The Mousetrap is probably Christie’s best loved mystery, known for its twist ending, which audiences are traditionally asked not to reveal after leaving the
show.
Agatha Christie’s books have sold billions of copies around the world – more than any other author, after The Bible. The Mousetrap is the longest-running
play in the history of London’s West End. In 2018 the production headed into it’s 67 th year at the St. Martin’s Theater. Since 6 October 1952 the play has
reach well over 27,000 performances.
Even witty British playwright Noel Coward was said to be impressed by the long running play and is said to have sent a telegraph to Christie stating, “Much as it pains me I really must congratulate you on The Mousetrap breaking the long-run record. All my good wishes. Noel Coward”.
Coward sent the telegraph in 1957, the same year that The Mousetrap overtook his play, Blithe Sprit, as the longest running West-End play.
Agatha Christie died on the 12th January 1976 aged 85 after giving the rights to the stage play to her nine-year old grandson Mathew Prichard. Her books
and short stories have been adapted for television, radio, even video games and graphic novels, with more that 30 films being made based on her work.
The Mousetrap runs at Theatre On The Bay from 5 December to 19 January 2019 with tickets ranging from R130 to R230.
The show then transfers to Montecasino in Johannesburg before touring to New Zealand.
Bookings can be made through computicket.com or the Theatre On The Bay box-office line (021) 438-3300.
For group booking discounts email [email protected].