The Mousetrap has been running since 1952 and is booking into its 75th year, which makes it the longest running play in the world. The ticket sites cannot agree on how long an evening of it takes: one says 2 hours 20 minutes including the interval, another says 2 hours 5 minutes. That is a 15 minute spread, which matters if you have booked dinner afterwards.
It is at St Martin’s Theatre, West Street, WC2H 9NZ, playing Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm with matinees on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 3pm. We checked on 10 October 2026.
Children and the age rule
The recommended age is 7 and over. Children under school age are not admitted at all, anyone under 16 needs an adult with them in the auditorium, and every child needs their own ticket regardless of age. For a murder mystery with no special effects to frighten anyone, the practical limit is attention span rather than content.
How long it is booking
Most current listings run to 2 January 2027. One ticketing page still showed a cut-off of 21 March 2026, a date that has already passed, which is a good reminder to buy from a listing you can date. A UK tour runs from September 2026 to June 2027 alongside the West End run, so a show in your own city does not mean the London run has ended.
Prices
Prices move with the date and the seat. Standard tickets generally start around £25 to £30, and midweek performances are usually the cheapest, which is the normal West End pattern rather than anything specific to this show.
The ending
At the end of every performance the cast asks the audience to keep the secret of whodunnit, a tradition that has run almost as long as the play. It is the reason that, after more than seventy years and thousands of performances, the ending is still not common knowledge. Reviews observe it too, which is why you will struggle to find a spoiler even if you look.
The Mousetrap
- Address
- St Martin’s Theatre, West Street, London WC2H 9NZ
- Nearest
- Leicester Square or Covent Garden
- Hours
- Monday to Saturday 7.30pm, with matinees on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 3pm. Running time is given as either 2 hours 20 minutes or 2 hours 5 minutes including the interval, depending on the source
- Booking
- Most listings book to 2 January 2027. A UK tour runs from September 2026 to June 2027 alongside the London run
- Price
- Varies by date and seat, generally from around 25 to 30 pounds, with midweek usually cheapest
- Standing
- The longest running play in the world, at St Martin’s Theatre since 1952 and now booking into its 75th year
How to get in
Recommended for ages 7 and over. Children under school age are not admitted, under-16s must be accompanied in the auditorium, and every child needs their own ticket. The cast asks the audience to keep the ending secret
Where to go next
Witness for the Prosecution is the other Agatha Christie running in London, and the best West End shows covers the rest.
Cheap theatre tickets and TKTS cover getting in for less.
Questions we get asked
How long is The Mousetrap?
Sources differ: one ticketing site gives 2 hours 20 minutes including the interval and another 2 hours 5 minutes. Check the listing you are buying from.
What age is The Mousetrap suitable for?
Recommended for 7 and over. Children under school age are not permitted, anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult in the auditorium, and every child needs their own ticket.
How long has The Mousetrap been running?
Since 1952, which makes it the longest running play in the world. It is now booking into its 75th year.
When does The Mousetrap play?
Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm, with matinees on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 3pm, at St Martin's Theatre on West Street.
Is The Mousetrap closing?
No. Most listings book through to 2 January 2027, and a UK tour runs from September 2026 to June 2027 alongside the West End run. One ticketing page still showed an out of date cut-off of 21 March 2026.
Written by Robert J Wills, no. 447 in the guide.
Last checked 10 October 2026 against the venues' own published information. Nobody pays to appear here and we take no bookings.
