Review of Cluedo 2 at Milton Keynes Theatre

Back in 2022, the original Cluedo stage play, based on a 1985 play by Sandy Rustin, itself based on the cult US film Clue, journeyed to Milton Keynes Theatre as part of a UK tour. It was, it has to be said, an average affair, made good by some excellent staging and at times a very fair tribute to the original board game. Now two years later, the success of that tour clearly warranted a return to the franchise and we find Cluedo 2 now on stage at Milton Keynes Theatre. So, is a follow-up warranted, and does it address many of the issues of the original? Let's find out.

Unlike the original and with no film source material to create a second play from, legendary TV comedy writers Maurice Gran and Lawrence Mark have taken the helm to provide the script for this production. Sadly, the legendary writers have for the best part plowed through their archives of extremely dated, and tiresome comedy. Much of the script is heavy on the obvious, high on the cringe, and while at times it can bring a titter (and in some audience members, a constant guffaw), this really is very tired material.

What is worse from Gran and Mark's play is that it isn't really honouring Cluedo as a game. The original worked into the format, with multiple endings and some mystery to the story that those taking part in the board game had when playing. Here, the murder mystery and story is heavy-handed and just created as a comic farce with hardly any link to the Cluedo game bar the names of the characters, and the location.

The cast, many of them excellent in their stage performances and presence in the show, have often the most appalling material to perform. To see the likes of successful screen actor Jason Durr as Colonel Mustard having to "giddy-up" back and forth across the stage is awkward and cringe. Elsewhere, the other "name" in the show, Ellie Leach, fresh from Strictly Come Dancing victory, in her stage debut as Miss Scarlett, seems out of her depth and wondering what might be going on in a very flat, monotonous performance. Some of the other cast seem to be dealing with the material a little better, including a likable Jack Bennett as Wadsworth. However, like much of the show, his character never develops and becomes repetitive eventually, especially with his "I'm not a butler!" line being done to death.

Repetition raises its ugly head in scene changes as well, which are, initially excellent, and truly funny and clever. However, after a while, these also begin to repeat in multiple uses of walking by artwork and billiards room play. Funny the first time (and maybe the second), but eventually just overused with no progression.

The set from David Farley is simplicity itself, but not in a good way. Even for a touring production, this is extremely minimal and provides little backdrop for the multiple locations depicted. As a result, we have to be told where we are often by a huge version of the board from the game lighting up specific locations. The mention of lighting brings us to another disaster for the show, with just appalling lighting leaving many cast members in darkness while delivering key lines. Yes, this is a dark and dingy manor during a storm, but it would still be nice to see the cast.

Cluedo 2 isn't without its successes. There are a few really funny moments, including suitably enough from the many death scenes, which are very much the highlights of the show. However the good bits are few and far between, and the ending provides just an endless succession of pointless moments, finishing on a chaotic and confused low. Sadly a disappointing return to the manor.

Tired, dated comedy provides no improvement sadly on an average original.
⭐⭐

Performance reviewed: Tuesday 16th April 2024 at the Milton Keynes Theatre.

Cluedo 2 runs at Milton Keynes Theatre until Saturday 20th April 2024.

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

Production photos: Alastair Muir

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