THE longest running show in theatreland arrived in Bath this week with 60 years of history and hype.

Agatha Christie’s timeless wintry crime comedy The Mousetrap is on its first ever UK tour to mark the much-loved production’s diamond anniversary.

And with sold-out seats at the Theatre Royal every night this week, the classic whodunnit tale is as popular as ever.

As Mollie (Jemma Walker) and Giles Ralston (Bruno Langley) prepare to open Monkswell Manor Guest House for the first time, snow begins to fall and by the time their five rather eccentric guests arrive, they are practically snowed in. The phone lines are cut and their only contact with the outside world is when Sgt Trotter (Bob Saul) arrives on skis with news that the guest house is somehow linked to a grisly murder in London.

Connections to the ill-treatment of three children at a nearby farm are quickly revealed as the whole household fears another death is imminent.

Bob Saul is duly authoritative as the young and determined policeman, Jemma Walker plays an eager-to-please hostess who is desperate to keep her house in order to perfection and Bruno Langley is genuine in his journey from dutiful husband to angry protector.

But it is the odd and suspicious guests who must have got Christie’s creative juices flowing when she first wrote the radio script in 1947 on Royal commission by Queen Mary, the mother of King George VI, to celebrate her 80th birthday.

Latecomer Mr Paravicini (Karl Howman) is perhaps the strangest of the bunch, a foreigner with a droll sense of humour and an array of velvet smoking jackets. Howman, with a thick accent, is brilliantly melodramatic in this gift of a role.

Elizabeth Power makes a convincing grumpy and rude Mrs Boyle whilst Graham Seed is commanding as the elusive Major Metcalf and Clare Wilkie is stern as the curious Miss Casewell.

Steven France gets the most laughs playing an over-the-top camp architect student, Christopher Wren. France adds his own undeniably funny mannerisms and laughter to his colourful character and shows The Mousetrap was written as much to amuse people as it was to keep them guessing.

With everyone under suspicion, the guests begin to question eachother, not least newlyweds the Ralstons, and there are some thrilling moments of suspense in both acts.

Cleverly designed to show just one room in the guest house, the set in this touring production gives audiences the sense they are at the centre of the mystery.

But in true Mousetrap style, after the big reveal, we are all asked to keep the murderer’s identity a secret in the hope theatre-goers will continue loving this show for another 60 years. So ssshhhh and let this record-breaking play be enjoyed by many more.

The Mousetrap is on at Theatre Royal Bath until Saturday, January 26. Call 01225 448844 for more information.