Forget Knives Out, this original stage whodunit still has the power to surprise

Gaiety Theatre, Dublin until May 18

Strong presence: Hollie Sullivan in The Mousetrap

Katy Hayes

The Mousetrap is the world’s longest running play. It premiered in 1952 and this current tour is part of its 70th anniversary celebrations. It’s a murder mystery, much like writer Agatha Christie’s prodigious novel output. The dramatic power lies in an invitation to the audience to solve a puzzle. I have never seen it before; as it seemed to be running forever, it never felt like an urgent thing to do.

The play is set in a guest house in Berkshire. A murder has been committed in London, and there is information that there will soon be a related second murder in the guesthouse; a detective sergeant is sent to interrogate the five guests and the husband and wife proprietors. During a blackout, someone gets killed. It’s the middle of a snowstorm and nobody can come or go. So who did it?