Coronavirus: The Mousetrap to reopen in October with social distancing

The Mousetrap will return to the West End in October, with plans for a socially distanced staging of the show.

The production, which has been running in London since 1952, has announced plans to resume performances on October 23.

It will likely become the first West End show to reopen following the crisis, with the majority declaring that they are unable to viably reopen while social distancing remains a requirement.

However, producer Adam Spiegel said: "We are very fortunate with The Mousetrap that, with the help of our stakeholders, we are able to adapt our economic model to be able to re-open. Whilst this cannot be a long-term exercise, we believe it is a crucial first step in restoring live theatre to the London landscape."

Spiegel said that following investigations into the requirements of the 543-seat Martin’s Theatre, it would be possible to adhere to social distancing onstage, backstage, in the auditorium and throughout the venue’s public spaces.

"The recent announcement of the government’s road map therefore brings out reopening into immediate focus," he added.