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Review of Cluedo at Milton Keynes Theatre

Cluedo has become a staple of British life since its original release back in 1949. Even if you may never have played the game itself, you have likely heard of it for its characters and collection of sinister murder weapons. The name Cluedo perhaps doesn’t trip off the tongue of any American people however because over there, they call it Clue, and this spawned a US film of the same name in 1985, which is the inspiration for this new stage play.

Clue became a cult hit with many, despite failing even to initially get its budget back at the box office, and watching this play written by Sandy Rustin, from Jonathan Lynn’s original screenplay, you can probably see why. This play has a unique, crazy kind of humour, which would not suit all. The audience is a mixture of laughing their socks off or a stony-faced look, which makes it extremely difficult to know whether to recommend. The comedy on offer is clearly signposted, unsubtle, and often just ridiculously crazy, and if this is your thing, perhaps you would be the former in my audience description. However, let’s rewind and work through what we have on stage and explore the evidence more.

Mr Boddy has invited an assortment of characters to his manor for some unknown reason to them, just that they have received a note suggesting it would be beneficial to attend. These characters are of course those made famous by Cluedo, so we have Colonel Mustard, Miss Scarlett, Reverend Green, Professor Plum, Miss Peacock, and Mrs White arriving at Boddy Manor during a typically sinister thunderstorm for an evening of mystery, revelations and of course, death.

Cluedo’s perhaps main success comes from being driven by an exceptional performance from Jean-Luke Worrell, who takes on the role of butler Wadsworth and runs for the sky with it. If he is on stage, everyone else is playing second fiddle, as he constantly breaks the fourth wall and makes the audience his plaything. He chews up the scenery with his performance getting every inch of material from the most simple things, be it leaving the room, an act closing scene, or death or two, he is in his element and helps make the show as good as it is.

Not that the other actors let the side down, Cluedo is the play to overact and be a buffoon, and Tom Babbage as Reverend Green for example becomes the pratfall guy, having accident after accident, to the delight of the audience much of the time. The chandelier moment in particular is both brilliantly staged and comically performed and is a show highlight. Michelle Collins, the cast member likely to be most familiar to the audience, doesn’t play against type as Miss Scarlett and relishes bringing her slinky and minxy style to the stage. Sadly, Daniel Casey was absent from this performance, so, understudy Harry Bradley performed his role of Professor Plum, and he brings his own nicely played pompousness to the role.

Judith Amsenga has far too much fun, I feel, as the constantly hysterical Mrs Peacock, while I really enjoyed Laura Kirman’s performance of the clearly un-French, Yvette. Indeed, all performances are excellent for what this production requires, over the top chaos. The biggest question really is whether that kind of thing is for you as an audience member.

Director Mark Bell, who has gained great regard from his work with Mischief Theatre’s quite superb shows, doesn’t quite get the balance as successful here. Pacing for what is essentially a ridiculous farce doesn’t quite work here. The first act feels too slow at times and this shows dramatically once we are into the second act, which is brilliantly done, and so much better.

Perhaps, some of the blame for pace could come from the set design by David Farley, as, while the set is actually quite brilliant a concept, and lovingly created, it has a habit of slowing the action down when being peeled back to reveal another famous Cluedo room.

What is a delight is Anna Healey’s movement work. At the opening of the second act, there is a brilliantly clever and well-timed scene (actually harnessing Farley’s set), where the characters investigate the manor. Superbly done, and better than anything in the first act, and sets the path for what is an excellent second act.

So, Cluedo is a really curious show, something akin to marmite in its comedy. This is just a frankly ridiculous comedy, overplayed, obvious and heavy in slapstick. If this is your thing, Cluedo may well be your kind of play. If not, give it a miss and head to something more subtle.

Well staged and performed, but the comedy doesn't always hit its target.

Performance reviewed: Monday 30th May 2022 at the Milton Keynes Theatre, Milton Keynes.

Cluedo runs at Milton Keynes Theatre until Saturday 4th June 2022.

For further details about Milton Keynes see their website at http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre/

Cluedo is a KILIMANJARO THEATRICALS, GABRIEL CREATIVE PARTNERS, THE ARACA GROUP and LIVELY McCABE ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTION

Production photos: Craig Sugden


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