IT’S a brave move to kill off your star name half way through a production, even if it’s the longest-running show in history.

But this very English whodunnit didn’t suffer from Susan Penhaligon’s demise thanks to its stellar cast and timeless plot, full of more twists and turns than a modern housing estate.

The setting for The Mousetrap is the superbly-recreated interior of a grand guest house, run by husband and wife duo Giles and Mollie Ralston (Nick Biadon and Harriett Hare).

Five very different guests - some invited, some not - book in on a snowy night starting with the delightfully camp architect and man-child Christopher Wren (Lewis Chandler).

Mrs Boyle (Penhaligon), Major Metcalf (John Griffiths), Miss Casewell (Saskia Vaigncourt-Strallen) and Mr Paravicini (David Alcock) all make an appearance before nightfall.

There’s talk on the wireless of a murder and appeal to talk to a witness (or suspect) who happens to be wearing the same clothes as Giles.

But so are some of the guests with everyone becoming a suspect following the surprise arrival of the mysterious Sgt Trotter (Geoff Arnold) at the snowed-in house the next day.

Suspicions and fears are heightened by the second act with the wonderfully stuffy and prudish Mrs Boyle (superbly played by Penhaligon) being slain in the darkness before the interval.

Anyone who watches The Mousetrap, or at least the Kings Theatre version, is forbidden by law from revealing the murderer so I won’t dwell on the plot.

But I can reveal that Biadon and Hare played the loved-up couple with something to hide persona to perfection. Biadon’s body language was also spot on, folding his arms defensively when coming under suspicion.

Chandler turned between childish, charming and creepy with his distinctive laugh and pronounced movements catching the ear and eye, respectively.

Griffiths had arguably the most limited role, but sounded every ounce a military man, while Alcock was a cross between Manuel the waiter, Bruno Tonioli and Hercule Poirot.

Vaigncourt-Strallen was enigmatic and very formal while the Cockney-toned Arnold had the audience constantly changing its suspicions.

My only qualm with The Mousetrap was its ending, as it felt rushed and almost like the conclusion to a Scooby Doo or a Famous Five adventure: Yay, the murderer has been caught, now let’s forget about it and have a cake.

Nonetheless this was a very enjoyable old-fashioned romp and this Mousetrap certainly caught my attention.

* The Mousetrap will run at 7.30pm nightly at the Kings Theatre until this Saturday, October 19.