THE Mousetrap, Agatha Christie’s legendary whodunnit, opens in Bournemouth next week for a six night run.

Television star Susan Penhaligon is part of the cast of this ever popular murder mystery which opens at the Pavilion on Monday, August 5.

The Mousetrap has been entertaining audiences for 67 years and the identity of the murderer remains theatre’s best kept secret.

Agatha Christie gave her grandson, Mathew Prichard, the royalties from The Mousetrap for his ninth birthday. In recent years he has donated them to the benefit of charities for the arts and other causes.

He said: “I do not, I’m afraid, remember much about the actual presentation (if there was one) and probably nobody realised until much later what a marvellous present it was, but it is perhaps worth remembering that my grandmother had been through many times in her life when money was not plentiful.

“It was therefore incredibly generous of her to give away such a play to her grandson, as in 1952 her books were only approaching the enormous success they have now become.

“It is also a mistake to think of her generosity only in terms of money. She loved giving pleasure to others – good food, a holiday, a present, or a birthday ode. She loved enjoying herself, and also to see others around her enjoying themselves.”

This is the second major national tour of the smash hit murder mystery following a record-breaking 60th anniversary debut in 2012.

First seen in Nottingham in 1952 starring Richard Attenborough and his wife Sheila Sim, The Mousetrap went on to become the world’s longest running stage production following its West End transfer to The Ambassadors in 1952 and St Martins in 1973 where it has played ever since, continuing a record-breaking run with over 27,500 performances in London so far.

* The Mousetrap runs from next Monday, August 5 to Saturday, August 10 at 7.30pm. There will also be a matinee at 2.30pm on Wednesday and Saturday. Prices range from £17.75 – £30.75. To book online see bhlivetickets.co.uk