The Moustrap, Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury, September 11

OPENING NIGHT REVIEW BY KEITH HUNT

A blood-curdling scream pierces the air, a crackly radio announces a grisly killing and so begins a record-breaking murder mystery that has thrilled and chilled audiences nonstop for 60 years.

The resounding success of The Mousetrap continued this week as Canterbury's Marlowe Theatre snapped up full house audiences for the first ever performance outside London.

Not having made it to St Martin's Theatre for the play, it was a spine-tingling treat to finally find out what all the fuss was about - and, most importantly, discover whodunnit.

The story centres around the murder being committed in London some 30 miles from the fledgling country manor guest house Monkswell Manor run by prickly Giles Ralston (Bruno Langley) and his nervy wife Mollie (Jemma Walker).

Four invited guests - eccentric architectural student Christopher Wren (Steven France), frosty and acerbic Mrs Boyle (Jan Walters), prim and proper Major Metcalf (Graham Seed), and straitlaced Miss Casewell (Clare Wilkie) - and one uninvited guest - mischievous Mr Paravincini (Karl Howman) - are snowed in.

As Mollie observes: "All of our guests are unpleasant or odd."

Earnest Detective Sergeant Trotter (Thomas Howes) arrives on skis to investigate the murder. While there another is committed. We are given reason to suspect each guest and they all seem to have dark secrets.

Agatha Christie's classic tale keeps us gripped until the killer is finally revealed. After the curtain has fallen the audience is sworn to secrecy about his or her identity.

A great cast deserving of equal billing keeps us guessing.

This mouse is sure to run and run.