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.
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.
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.
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.
⭐⭐⭐
