Crime does pay ... especially in theatre

The birthplace of crime writer Agatha Christie is commemorating her death 25 years ago by re-opening refurbished displays in its local museum. The seaside resort of Torquay in Devon pays tribute to Christie with a museum display that includes costumes from the Poirot and Miss Marple television series. A new Agatha Christie Centre is planned to open in 2003 and is expected to include all Christie's literary works.

Meanwhile, in London, the St Martins Theatre is celebrating the longest-running stage production in the world of Christie's play The Mousetrap.

The 50th-anniversary celebrations begin on November 25 and the theatre plans a year-long celebration culminating in a gala performance on November 25 next year.

The writer is also being celebrated at London's British Museum with an exhibition that will focus on her work as an amateur archaeologist in the Middle East. Mystery in Mesopotamia opens on November 8 and will remain on display until March 24 next year.

Christie worked on Middle Eastern excavations where she met her husband Max Mallowan.

Contact: visit The British Museum website, click on the word "navigate", then "new" and "special", then "exhibitions calendar" to find details of the exhibition and entry fees.

The British Museum