AGATHA Christie's The Mousetrap and Darlington Civic Theatre are a match made in heaven for Middlesbrough-born Lewis Collier as he brings the pivotal role of Police Sergeant Trotter to the North-East next week as part of the famous play's 60th anniversary tour.

"The Civic Theatre is always been part of my life. I came to see pantomimes there and it feels really special when I walk out on that stage," says the actor, who toured to the venue last year with Jack Shepherd in the ghostly tales of The Signalman and The Waiting Room.

He's following in legendary footsteps as Trotter because the late Richard Attenborough played the role originally in a short tour of the provinces before The Mousetrap took up residence in the West End to become the world's longest-running play – recently clocking up 26,000 performances at St Martin's Theatre.

"I was on tour, and just been to Darlington, when my agent called about a play which everyone knows about in the theatrical world and it felt wonderful to audition for it. Sgt Trotter is such a brilliant character to play. He turns up in a snowstorm on skis and is investigating a local murder and then gets involved in trying to find a murderer at Monkswell Manor. He is like a whirlwind himself and becomes the driving force behind finding out the secrets involving the other characters," Collier says.

The actor, whose parents live in Marton, feels that The Mousetrap remains popular because it contains all of Christie's genius for misdirection and humour plus being based on the true story of a young boy in foster care being killed.

"A character can be standing saying something in plain sight of the audience, but they can completely misconstrue what is being said. There are moments of great tension undercut with humour. It would be easy to see it as a chocolate box Agatha Christie murder mystery, but it is based on the Dennis O'Neill case back in the days of the First World War. People are surprised when they come to see this play, how dark it really is," he says.

Collier laughs and confesses that apparently it is a secret that the audience is told to keep the murderer's identity "locked in their hearts".

"There was a huge furore when Wikipedia published the whole plot. So, I am hoping that when my family and friends and particularly my dad, who gets very excited when I tell him about a new role, don't do a lot of research into the play and don't go to Wikipedia," says the actor, who didn't know the identity of the murderer until he got the script.

On playing the role of Trotter, Collier reveals that his uncle, David Serrell, is a retired Scotland Yard detective. "He actually worked on a lot of cases that involved child abuse, but I haven't spoken to him about it. He lives in the south now, but I've got other family members coming to see the play in Darlington. We're touring right up to December, so I'll probably see if he can watch the show when we're closer to London," says Collier.

He's been based in London himself since 2007, when he went from theatre studies at Yarm School to two years at the Royal Holloway College where he graduated with a BA(Hons) in drama and theatre studies, followed by a postgraduate diploma in acting at Mountview Academy.

"There is a showcase for students and I managed to land an agent and a role in The Two Noble Kinsmen straight away," says Collier.

The Mousetrap cast also features Anna Andresen as Mollie Ralston; Nick Barclay as Giles Ralston; Tony Boncza as Major Metcalf; Gregory Cox, Mr Paravicini; Amy Downham, Miss Casewell, and Oliver Gully, Christopher Wren. Doctor Who and EastEnders star Louise Jameson in the role of Mrs Boyle.

Collier enjoys the North-East legs of tours because it gives him a chance to visit his family and drive his car.

"I love driving, purely for when I'm in the North-East. I could never have taken my car down to London, so I left my Reno Clio Sport at my parent's house. I miss driving, but there is absolutely no point in having a car in central London," he says.

"When you're with a great cast like this, you become a bit of a family because you spend so much time together. There is nothing more magical when the reveal happens and the audience is all gasping because they are suddenly all with you."

Would it be murder for Collier if he took on the world's long-running production in the West End?

"I was talking to Louise Jameson about this and it has happened before. People from the tour have gone into the West End and vice versa. Tony who plays Major Metcalf actually played the same role 35 years ago in the West End and Gregory Cox has played Mr Paravicini at St Martin's Theatre. His daughter has also had a role in the show. It seems to be once you're in The Mousetrap then you're in."

n The Mousetrap was premiered in Nottingham in 1952 with a cast led by Richard Attenborough and his wife Sheila Sim before embarking on its record-breaking West End run. The 60th anniversary tour is approaching 1,000 performances and has been seen by nearly 1 million people.

n The open-ended London run continues at St Martin’s Theatre. Tickets for Darlington's run from Monday to Saturday are on sale on 01325-486555 or at darlingtoncivic.co.uk; York, Grand Opera House, February 22 to 27. 0844 871 3024 or atgtickets.com/york; Harrogate Theatre from May 2 to 7. 01423 502116 or harrogatetheatre.co.uk