Cluedo at Curve

Our five colour coded stars are all present in this pacey play. Miss Scarlett, Professor Plum, Mrs Peacock, Reverend Green, Mrs. White and Colonel Mustard all arrive at a country house one dark and stormy evening and are surprised to find they have all received the same intriguing invitation from Lord Boddy.

It soon becomes apparent that they all have something to hide and over the course of the play a variety of murders take place with no-one knowing who will be next, or of course whodunit!

Film fans may remember the board game was also inspiration for the 1985 farcical comedy Clue. Directed by Jonathan Lynn, the film was a flop on release but has since become a cult classic known for Tim Curry's masterful performance as the butler.

As well as all the more familiar characters of the game (and the film), we have the butler Wadsworth and the ‘French’ maid Yvette who both keep the pace of the production going throughout. Our well known murder weapons from the much-loved board game are there (candlestick, lead pipe, rope and so on), as well as the rooms (billiard room, library, study and so on), all of which lead to the 'who, where and how' (Mrs White in the Library with the rope, for example – no spoilers!). As the play unfolds, secrets are revealed and the murders mount up.

It is an extremely well-staged show that at times is just plain silly, but fun for it. There’s an abundance of physical and slapstick comedy, not least as the cast move props and scenery around in deliberately barely disguised and increasingly absurd manoeuvres, and the show is littered with gags and puns – many played knowingly to the audience. The set is worth a special mention - rooms appear and disappear, secret passageways connect rooms (just as in the game) meaning you really do feel as if you could be inside the Cluedo mansion.

The second half is fast paced, even manic at times, however always within a speed the audience can follow and continue to be entertained by.

The cast work as one for much of the production, but everybody has their moments. Jean-Luke Worrell as Wadsworth the Butler is superb, and flamboyant, managing to push to almost overplaying the role, but wonderfully staying just the right side.  His second act summary of the story was my highlight of the play.

The other standout performance for me was Judith Amsenga as Mrs Peacock. Costume, and make-up helping to create a character far in advance of the actor’s years, of course, but Amsenga’s use of her voice and mannerisms, coupled with the way she moved across the stage, led to a thoroughly enjoyable performance.

Michelle Collins who plays Miss Scarlet and gets top billing was not performing this evening, her role taken by Meg Travers, and Mrs White was played by Georgia Bradley, standing in for Etisyai Philip. Both played their roles well.  The crucial timing of the entire cast’s spoken words and physical movements ensured the play was delivered at the speed Director Mark Bell will surely have been pleased with.

★★★★

Steve Kaczmar

TICKETS

£38 – £10

DISCOUNTS*
£25 16-26 yrs and/or Students (with a free 16-26 & Student Membership), and Curve Connect
£25 Under 16s
£4 off for Groups 10+
£5 off for Groups 20+
15% off for Members

ACCESS PERFORMANCES
Signed: Thu 9 Jun, 7.30pm
BSL Interpreter: Emma Phillips

For more information about our Access Performances, please click here.