‘The Mousetrap’: Best of the Who-Done-Its

The Citadel ensemble has brought compelling performances to this classic Agatha Christie mystery.

(L–R) Christopher Wren (Jesús Barajas), Mollie Ralston (Mary Margaret McCormack), Maj. Metcalf (William Ryder), Detective Sgt. Trotter (Sean Erik Wesslund), Miss Casewell (Amy Stricker), Giles Ralston (Jack Sharkey), Mr. Paravicinio (Reginald Hemphill), and Mrs. Boyle (Kristie Berger), in the Citadel Theatre's production of "The Mousetrap." North Shore Camera Club

LAKE FOREST, Ill.—Agatha Christie wrote a short radio play as a birthday gift for Queen Mary in 1947, then adapted it into a play, “The Mousetrap.” Christie expected that it wouldn’t run long, maybe eight months at the most. The play opened in London in 1952 and has been on stage ever since. The longest running play in the history of theater, it is still being performed in London and around the world.

Indeed, there is a very good reason for the longevity of this murder mystery. It’s very difficult to guess the identity of the culprit unless someone who has seen the play reveals it.