Producer, Brian Fenty, is delighted to announce that Nicholas Bailey and Susan Penhaligon will star as Major Metcalf and Mrs Boyle respectively in the 75th anniversary UK tour of Agatha Christie’s iconic thriller and the world’s longest-running play, The Mousetrap. The tour will begin in September 2026, running through to 2027. The tour forms part of wider plans to celebrate The Mousetrap’s year with more exciting celebrations to be announced.
Nicholas Bailey is one of Britain’s best-known television actors, recognised by millions for his portrayal of Dr Anthony Trueman in the BBC’s EastEnders. Introduced to Albert Square in 2000, Anthony quickly became a fan favourite, with Nicholas returning to the iconic role on several occasions over the years, most recently reprising the character in 2025.
Alongside his television work, Nicholas has enjoyed a varied career across stage, screen and radio. His theatre credits include Richard Eyre’s King Lear (National Theatre), Macbeth (Mercury Theatre, Colchester), Dreamgirls (West End), Jackie – The Musical (UK Tour), Mother Courage and Her Children (UK Tour), Life Is a Dream (Royal Lyceum Edinburgh, Barbican Centre and BAM, New York) and Julius Caesar (Royal Exchange). His television credits also include Coronation Street, Casualty, Doctors, Death in Paradise, House of Anubis and Holby City, while he has also appeared in the long-running BBC Radio 4 drama The Archers.
Susan Penhaligon first came to prominence with her acclaimed performance in the landmark television drama Bouquet of Barbed Wire before becoming a household name as Helen Barker opposite Dame Judi Dench in the hit sitcom A Fine Romance. Her television credits also include Emmerdale, Doctors, Casualty, Bergerac, Doctor Who, Upstairs, Downstairs and the BBC’s adaptation of Dracula.
Alongside her television career, Susan has appeared extensively on stage in the West End and across the UK, with credits including The Real Thing (Strand Theatre), Three Sisters (Albery Theatre), Of Mice and Men (Mermaid Theatre), Broken Glass (West Yorkshire Playhouse), and UK tours of Cabaret, The Importance of Being Earnest, And Then There Were None and Fisherman’s Friends – The Musical. Her film work includes The Land That Time Forgot, Patrick, Count Dracula, Soldier of Orange and The Uncanny.
Full casting and creative team for the tour to be announced in due course.
SOLVE THEATRE’S MOST FAMOUS MYSTERY.
Since 1952, Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap has captivated the world with silent clues, shifting shadows and the best-kept secret in theatre history. Now, the record-breaking classic embarks on its 75th Anniversary Tour across the UK and Ireland.
A shocking murder rattles London. Far from the chaos, a remote country guesthouse welcomes seven strangers seeking refuge. But when a police sergeant battles through a deadly snowstorm with a warning no one expects, it becomes clear the threat is already within their walls.
Every whisper hides a clue. Every story masks a lie. And as suspicion tightens its grip, one question chills the room: Who among them is capable of murder?
Step into Monkswell Manor and solve the great British murder mystery that has kept the world guessing for generations.
THE MANOR AWAITS.
Earlier this year the play celebrated its 30,000th performance in the West End and was presented with a Guinness World Records certificate for the record title longest theatrical run. The genre-defining murder mystery opened in 1952 and continues to enthral audiences at London’s St Martin’s Theatre, now booking into its 75th year in 2027.
The Mousetrap is produced by Brian Fenty.
The tour and the London production at St Martin’s Theatre are directed by Hannah Chissick with casting by Denise Silvey.
2026/27 TOUR SCHEDULE
3 – 12 Sept 2026 Birmingham, The Alexandra
https://theatreinbirmingham.co.uk/
15 – 19 Sept Princess Theatre, Torquay
https://theatreintorquay.co.uk/
21 – 26 Sept Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham 01242 572 573
everymantheatre.org.uk
6 – 10 Oct Lyceum Theatre, Crewe
trafalgartickets.com/lyceum-theatre-crewe/en-GB
12 – 17 Oct Theatre Royal Windsor 01753 853 888
theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk
19 – 24 Oct Floral Pavillion, New Brighton
floralpavilion.com
26 – 31 Oct Manchester Opera House
https://theatreinmanchester.co.uk/
3 – 7 Nov Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield
sheffieldtheatres.co.uk
9 – 14 Nov Aylesbury, Waterside
https://theatreinaylesbury.co.uk/
16 – 21 Nov Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne
trafalgartickets.com/eastbourne-theatres-eastbourne/en-GB
23 – 28 Nov Lighthouse Poole
lighthousepoole.co.uk
30 Nov – 5 Dec Palace Theatre, Southend
trafalgartickets.com/palace-theatre-southend/en-GB
7 – 16 Jan 2027 Royal & Derngate, Northampton 01604 624811
royalandderngate.co.uk
19 – 23 Jan Cardiff New Theatre 0343 310 0041
newtheatrecardiff.co.uk
25 – 30 Jan Woking New Victoria Theatre
https://theatreinwoking.co.uk/
1 – 6 Feb Theatre Royal Plymouth 01752 267 222
theatreroyal.com
15 – 20 Feb Bromley Churchill Theatre 0343 310 0020
churchilltheatre.co.uk
22 – 27 Feb Swindon Wyvern Theatre 0343 310 0040
swindontheatres.co.uk
1 – 6 March Stoke, Regent Theatre
https://theatreinstoke.co.uk/
8 – 13 March Lichfield Garrick
lichfieldgarrick.com
22 – 27 March Sunderland Empire Theatre
https://theatreinsunderland.co.uk/
5 – 10 April Edinburgh Playhouse
https://theatreinedinburgh.co.uk/
12 – 17 April Glasgow Kings Theatre
https://theatreinglasgow.co.uk/
19 – 24 April Southampton Mayflower
mayflower.org.uk
26 April – 1 May Milton Keynes Theatre
https://theatreinmiltonkeynes.co.uk/
4 – 8 May Malvern Theatres 01684 892277
malvern-theatres.co.uk
24 – 29 May Truro Hall for Cornwall 01872 262 466
hallforcornwall.co.uk
21 – 26 June Grand Opera House York
https://theatreinyork.co.uk/
12 – 18 Jul High Wycombe Swan
trafalgartickets.com/wycombe-swan-theatre/en-GB