When The Mousetrap comes to Perth Concert Hall in April on its 70th anniversary tour, it will stir memories of a very special link between Perth Theatre and the world’s longest-running play.
Joan Knight, who was Artistic Director of Perth Theatre from 1968 to 1993, directed the original London show between 1968 and 1971.
Joan retained a close connection with Sir Peter Saunders, who was the first producer of The Mousetrap, and the production as it continued its record-breaking run. At one anniversary celebration, she was presented a gift of a limited-edition silver mousetrap necklace as one of the directors of the show. Joan was godmother to Chris, the eldest son of the first General Manager of Perth Theatre Vanessa Rawlings-Jackson, and was also close to her other two children, Jon and Alice. When she died, Joan bequeathed the necklace to Alice in her will, and it remains a treasured memento of Joan and her connection with The Mousetrap. Joan Knight also directed the premiere of Sir Peter’s crime thriller Scales of Justice at Perth Theatre in the late 70’s.
Former General Manager of Perth Theatre, Vanessa Rawlings-Jackson, who is a Trustee on the Board of Perth Theatre and Concert Hall said:
“I always remember Joan mentioning working with Sir Peter and directing The Mousetrap when I first went to Perth Theatre. The Mousetrap was a legend even then and I was honoured to be invited by Sir Peter to see the production in the West End and to work closely with him on the Perth Theatre premiere of his own crime thriller Scales of Justice. Even more special was that Joan left her treasured Mousetrap memento necklace to my daughter so that we have that memory for ever.”
Current producer of The Mousetrap, Adam Spiegel said:
“What a fantastic story! There is so much history around The Mousetrap, and it is absolutely thrilling to discover its unique link to Perth Theatre through celebrated Artistic Director Joan Knight. We’re very much looking forward to bringing the production to Perth on its 70th anniversary tour.”
After its premiere in Theatre Royal Nottingham in 1952 and subsequent tour, The Mousetrap opened in London’s West End at the Ambassadors Theatre, transferring to the larger St Martin’s Theatre in 1974 where it still runs to this day, it continues its record-breaking engagement having been performed there over 28,500 times, selling over 10 million tickets.
The Mousetrap is currently celebrating its 70th anniversary by touring to 70 venues across the UK, including a run in Perth Concert Hall from Tuesday 18 until Saturday 22 April.
The production stars Todd Carty (EastEnders, Grange Hill, Dancing on Ice) as Major Metcalf and Gwyneth Strong (Only Fools and Horses, EastEnders) as Mrs. Boyle, Joelle Dyson (Dreamgirls, Funny Girl) as Mollie Ralston, Laurence Pears (Magic Goes Wrong) as Giles Ralston, Elliot Clayas Christopher Wren (The Mousetrap in London), Essie Barrow (The Mousetrap in London) as Miss Casewell, and Joseph Reed (The Nobodies) as Detective Sgt. Trotter.
As news spreads of a murder in London, a group of seven strangers find themselves snowed in at Monkswell Manor, a stately countryside guesthouse. When a police sergeant arrives, the guests discover – to their horror – that a killer is in their midst. One by one, the suspicious characters reveal their sordid
pasts. Which one is the murderer? Who will be their next victim?
For tickets and information for The Mousetrap in Perth Concert Hall from Tuesday 18 until Saturday 22 April, click here, call Perth Theatre Box Office on 01738 621031 or visit in person (10am – 4pm Monday to Saturday).
Monday 17 April 2023