CLUEDO - AT THE ARTS THEATRE

Guess what! I am not the biggest fan of board games. For me, they are mostly bored games but there is one exception: the whodunnit caper, Cluedo. Even those who are not familiar with the game will have heard of the suspects to murder: Miss Scarlet, Professor Plum, Mrs Peacock, the Rev Green, Mrs White and of course, Colonel Mustard. We all remember family fun with fiddly little ‘weapons’ such as a candlestick, dagger, rope and wrench. Then there’s the murder location: ballroom, hall, library and conservatory among others. All these elements are lovingly recreated in this new touring show.

Waddington’s Cluedo has been around since the 1940s (it’s as old as I am but much more resilient) so it’s a surprise that no one has thought of bringing those shady suspects to the stage – until now. This new production is actually based on the 1980s US movie, Clue, and the script by Sandy Rustin is inspired by the screenplay. Directed by Mark Bell whose pedigree includes ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’, there is here the same breathless madcap energy pivoted around split second timing and audacious choreography. The two-acts burst into action and there is no let up as the daft denouement draws near. We are, of course, in a remote country house, a storm has brought down the bridge and a group of seemingly disparate strangers have been invited by the owner, a Mr Boddy. Every whodunnit trope is mercilessly exploited with dramatic underscore, creepy lighting and mysterious doors (so many of them) revealing either a study, library, kitchen or dead body. The murder count rapidly rises as the fun rattles along and there is a genuine sense of Agatha Christie-like mystery and comic tension.

The cast is universally excellent but the starring role goes to Jean-Luke Worrell as the strangely lithe butler who acts as rather sinister master of ceremonies to the deadly evening of fun. Michelle Collins does a great turn as the flighty Miss Scarlett and Tom Babbage makes a great prat and pratfaller the Rev Green. For me the most enjoyable thing was the breath-taking choreography of the innumerable scene changes. Like a fluid tidal wave, the cast would carry chairs dancing into a new scene revealed by the precise opening of a doorway into a new room. This was precision theatre at its most precise and one could only admire the sheer inventiveness of the action (which never wanes). Set in the 1940s, there was a loving nostalgia here to the roots of this evergreen board game. I won’t of course, reveal the ending which has more twists than an Olympian ice dancer. Though I thought the script was a bit samey and there were few really good gags, one couldn’t help but enjoy the sheer energy, creativity and superb professionalism of the cast. This is a real tonic for a winter’s evening and a masterclass in physical comedy. Cluedo will keep you guessing but it will more importantly, keep you mightily entertained.

Cambridge Arts Theatre, 6 St Edward’s Passage, Cambridge, CB2 3PJ

Monday 14 – Saturday 19 February 2022

Times and prices:

Monday – Saturday, 7.30pm

& Thursday & Saturday, 2.30pm

£24/£34/£39/£43

All ticket prices include a £3 per ticket booking fee

Box Office: 01223 503333 / www.cambridgeartstheatre.com