REVIEW | Cluedo, UK Tour
Photo Credit: Craig Sugden★★★★
Fans of Agatha Christie and Sherlock Homes gather around because I have found your next mystery to solve! You may recognise the murder mystery world of Cluedo from the 1949 British board game that has sold over 150 million worldwide or the 1985 movie adaptation 'Clue' which starred Tim Curry, now there's something new to add to the growing success. There's now a new stage adaptation currently on a UK Tour. Director Mark Bell has made his "new British play, based on an American play, based on an American film, based on a British board game" and the result is a production that is cunningly delivered and highly entertaining.
There are some cleverly incorporated similarities whilst Bell has used Sandy Rustin's script and emphasized the British roots. The setting of this known murder mystery is set in 1949 Home Counties where 6 people are summoned there by a mysterious letter. The 6 established characters; Reverend Green, Miss Scarlett, Professor Plum, Colonel Mustard, Mrs White, and Mrs Peacock do not yet realize that they all have something which links them together. Unaware they are about to be thrust into the mystery that has intrigued people for years.
The strong 6 cast brought an equal level of enthusiasm and enactment to this production. Meg Travers, Georgia Bradley (Meg and Georgia were understudies in their roles and did a marvellous job!), Daniel Casey, Tom Babbage, Wesley Griffith, and Judith Amenga delivered characters that were distinguished from one another.
Bell's directing style is really familiar to those audiences who have seen The Play That Goes Wrong. Audiences will see *some* similarities in its style and delivery of humour but it still stands completely alone as a great piece of comedy. Bell does a fantastic job at integrating popular styles of comedy; like physical and slapstick into his work which will be enjoyed by most audiences and are well executed.
This piece of theatre moves at a rapid rate, often transitioning to various different rooms across the manor.
David Farley's set does a superb job at really expanding the space and allowing it to become more than just a static lobby which is very much the base of this story. The 6 doors set around the lobby space reveal the different rooms that play their part in trying to solve the mystery of what has occurred under this roof. There is a real emphasis on using these rooms a lot and the transitions work well in helping build the suspense of the entire finished product. It is high-level staging for a touring production.
One of the best murder mysteries has been able to thrive on the stage and the result is a production that is well crafted to be enjoyed by all.
Cluedo Stage Play is touring the UK until 23 July 2022.