Cluedo is the iconic board game we all know and love but coming to see CLUEDO 2 – THE NEXT CHAPTER, which is at the New Theatre in Cardiff this week, you absolutely don’t need to have played the game, or indeed watched the 1986 movie Clue, which some of last nights audience clearly had.
This new production follows the huge success of the critically acclaimed original play, Cluedo, with a new story from one of the UK’s most successful writing duos, LAURENCE MARKS and MAURICE GRAN, there’s a new house, new suspects and lots of new bodies.
First of all let’s get some reaction from the opening night audience, and one of the stars of the show, Coronation Street and Strictly favourite ELLIE LEACH…..
All our favourite characters are there, in a story which is set in the ‘Singing 60s’. The Honourable Mrs. Emerald Peacock (HANNAH BOYCE), Colonel Eugene Mustard (JASON DURR), ‘Professor’ Alex Plum (EDWARD HOWELLS), Miss Annabel Scarlett (ELLIE LEACH), ‘The Reverend’ Hal Green (GABRIEL PAUL) the housekeeper Mrs White (DAWN BUCKLAND), Rick Black (LIAM HORRIGAN), Wadsworth (JACK BENNETT) and PC Silver (TIWAI MUZA).
In true murder mystery style we get a group of dysfunctional individuals, thrown together in a creepy house, with murders happening at an alarming rate, with a variety of implements, as per the board game.
The show is non-stop from start to finish, with some really clever set pieces which are choreographed by Movement Director ANNA HEALY. They really capture the 60s vibe and move the show along nicely from room to room, which is what we expect from Cluedo. The way picture frames, doors and windows move in and out of the set, along with the clever use of lighting, really ramps up the board game elements of the show.
There’s some really nice running gags, particularly from Wadsworth the butler, who insists he really isn’t a butler at all. The Housekeeper Mrs White is played brilliantly by Dawn Buckland, who appears in places, which may or may not be a clue as to what is going on where and when.
But this is very much an ensemble piece, with all of the characters lending their comic talents to the story. Even when they are dead they prove to be ‘dead funny‘ on stage, particularly the scene with rock star Rick who makes and excellent ventriloquist dummy – I’ll say no more here.
The comedy builds right into the second half, which brings with it some proper belly laughs. Yes, you can embrace your inner detective but in this whodunnit with a twist it’s best to go with the flow and enjoy the laughs, of which there are many.
CLUEDO 2 – THE NEXT CHAPTER is at the New Theatre in Cardiff through to Saturday 29th June. Performances are at 7:30pm each evening with a 2:30pm matinee on Wednesday and Saturday. As usual it’s best to get in early for tickets, full details HERE, with all the prices and concessions below.
Tue to Thurs 7.30pm plus Wed 2.30pm – £44, £40, £36, £24;
Fri and Sat 7.30pm plus Sat 2.30pm – £48, £44, £39, £28
Concessions – £3 off top 3 prices, Tue – Thurs
Groups 8+ 5% off top 2 prices, Tue to Thurs;
Groups 10+ 10% off top two prices, Tue to Thurs;
Groups 20+ 20% off top two prices, Tue to Thurs;
Groups 40+ 25% off top two prices, Tue to Thurs
Read our original feature and interview with Jason Durr – HERE.
