Peter Saunders (impresario)
Hampstead, London, England | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Theatrical producer |
| Known for | Producing and promoting The Mousetrap (1952–1994) |
| Spouse(s) | Ann Stewart (–1976) Katie Boyle (1979–2003) |
| Relatives | Charles Saunders (brother) |
Sir Peter Saunders (23 November 1911 – 6 February 2003)[1] was an English theatre impresario, notable for his production of the long-running Agatha Christie murder mystery, The Mousetrap.
Early life and career
Saunders was born in
Saunders purchased the Vaudeville Theatre in 1969. Prior to his most famous adaptation of a book, by the same author, he saw the value of Agatha Christie's writing as suitable for theatre during his UK tours with Murder at the Vicarage and Black Coffee, and his staging of The Hollow, which ran in the West End of London for almost a year. In 1968, he took out a long lease on London's St Martin's Theatre, in West Street near Charing Cross Road.[2]
The Mousetrap
Saunders' most notable production was The Mousetrap, adapted for the stage by Christie, from her short story Three Blind Mice. It began its run at the Ambassadors Theatre in the West End on 25 November 1952, switched once in 1974 to St Martin's Theatre next door, and continues there to this day, making it the longest unbroken sequence of performances in world theatre history. After relinquishing his direct involvement in the production of the play, he spent many years casting for roles annually, and also promoting it at every opportunity. He finally cut his ties with the play upon his retirement in 1994.[2]
Personal life
Until her death in 1976, Saunders was married to Ann Stewart. In 1979, he remarried, this time to TV personality
References
- ^ Dates and places of birth and death: BFI.org.uk website. Retrieved on 27 February 2008.
- ^ a b c Sir Peter Saunders: obituary at The Times website. Retrieved on 27 February 2008.
- ^ Obituary - Sir Peter Saunders, The Telegraph, 8 February 2003.
- ^ Further biography: Oundle Society website. Retrieved on 27 February 2008.
- IMDB.comwebsite. Retrieved on 6 March 2008.
External links
- Sir Peter Saunders at IMDb
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