THE Mousetrap, the legendary Agatha Christie whodunnit theatre production, has announced a major national tour opening in January which will come to Darlington Hippodrome in April.

The West End hit has been delighting theatregoers for 67 years with its macabre murder mystery. Following a record-breaking 60th anniversary tour in 2012, the show returns by popular demand with an extensive new tour throughout the UK.

Gwyneth Strong will play Mrs Boyle. The cast also includes David Alcock (Mr Paravacini), Geoff Arnold (Detective Sgt. Trotter), Nick Biadon (Giles Ralston), Lewis Chandler (Christopher Wren), John Griffiths (Major Metcalf), Harriett Hare (Mollie Ralston) and Saskia Vaigncourt-Strallen (Miss Caswell).

Strong is best known for her role in the BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses in which she played Cassandra. The role earned her mainstream recognition and she appeared in the hit comedy show as well as several Christmas specials between 1989 and 2003.

More recently, she joined the cast of EastEnders in the role of Geraldine Clough. Other television credits include The Great Train Robbery, Silent Witness, Casualty, Doctors and Murder in Suburbia.

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.

Darlington Hippodrome dates are Monday, April 29, to Saturday, May 4.