Our grandchildren received Cluedo Junior for Christmas and we enjoyed a Sunday evening of family board game playing after our first roast together in a long time. I had forgotten how much fun this “whodunnit?” board game really is.
Next time I see Cluedo in a charity shop I’m going to snaffle it for our games collection. Last night hubby Graham and I watched a real live version played out before our very eyes at Leeds Grand and it was superbly done.
This latest production stars Michelle Collins of EastEnders and Coronation Street fame. She plays the glamourous Miss Scarlett and all the board game characters are present. When Miss Scarlett, Professor Plum (Daniel Casey Midsomer Murders). Mrs Peacock (Judith Amsenga), Reverend Green (Tom Babbage), Mrs. White (Etisyai Philip) and Colonel Mustard (Wesley Griffith) arrive at a country house one dark and stormy evening, they are surprised to find they have all received the same intriguing invitation from Lord Boddy.
It soon becomes clear that they all have something to hide as the mystery and hysteria grows and the inhabitants of Boddy Manor and the murders start occurring, one by one, room by room and with a variety of familiar weapons, leaving everyone to wonder, who will be next?!
We were belly laughing from the start as the Butler, Wadsworth expertly played by Jean -Luke Worrell and the housemaid Yvette played by Laura Kirman welcome us to the Manor. Both had spot on comedy timing and as the guests made their entrances and clever lighting and set identified each colourful character.
The inventive set design is simple and clever as each part of the Cluedo Manor House is revealed. This exciting, comedy thriller is based on the hit 1985 US film Clue however unlike that version this has been, in his words, “britishised” by Director Mark Bell, who also directed the award-winning The Play That Goes Wrong and A Comedy About A Bank Robbery. Just like the game, this brand new play delivers nostalgia, fun and a thrilling evening of cracking entertainment.
We intend to keep a close eye on the rising star of talented young actor Tom Babbage who played Reverend Green. Both he and Jean-Luke Worrell gave outstanding performances, however the entire cast has been thoughtfully assembled with strong supporting role performances from Meg Travers and Harry Bradley.
This hilarious spoof kept us guessing right up to the finale as both cast and audience all endeavoured to work out who did actually do it …. with what… and where! Was it Miss Scarlett with the revolver in the dining room? Or Professor Plum with the lead pipe in the library? Grab a ticket, go and find out. You will not be disappointed!
Review by Deana Morgan
