I HAD never seen The Mousetrap before so I was pleasantly surprised to discover the play lived up to its name.

The Agatha Christie play is touring the UK to celebrate its 60th year and is at Aylesbury this week.

The story is based in a large country manor guest house after a murder has taken place in London.

It soon becomes clear that there could be a murderer amongst the people staying and working at the manor.

The cast were all superb and played their parts well.

Steven France, who plays Duncan in Eastenders, was excellent as the hyperactive Christopher Wren, and almost stole the show. But Bob Saul was equally brilliant as the particular Detective Sergeant Trotter.

The characters are all strong and the actors equally as good so they all deserve a mention with Graham Seed as the polite Major Metcalf, Clare Wilkie as Miss Casewell, Elizabeth Power as the grumpy Mrs Boyle and Karl Howman as the strange Mr Paravicini.

Bruno Langley and Jemma Walker played the guest house owners Mr and Mrs Ralston with ease. The set was beautifully designed and I was marvelling at how the production managed to move it around the country. The costumes were also top class.

All in all this is a very professional production with a very talented staff. The theatre was packed which shows the enduring popularity of The Mousetrap.

If you haven't seen it yet it is at Aylesbury until Saturday.

it is on at 7.30pm each evening with Thursday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm. Tickets are £10 to £27 from 0844 8717607 or go to www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury.