Review: CLUEDO, Cambridge Arts Theatre - UK tour
Photo credit: Craig Sugden
Based on the traditional board game and the 1985 film Clue, we head over to Boddy Manor to enjoy an evening of fun, frivolity and of course, murder!
We are introduced to the characters that we have all grown up with: Miss Scarlet (Michelle Collins), Professor Plum (Harry Bradley), Colonel Mustard (Wesley Griffith), Mrs White (Etisyai Philip), Reverend Green (Tom Babbage) and Mrs Peacock (Judith Amsenga). They are joined by the butler Wadsworth (Jean-Luke Worrell) and maid Yvette (Laura Kirman). Other parts are played by Meg Travers, Georgia Bradley and Liam Horrigan.
The atmosphere is set as soon as you walk into the theatre with the radio taking you back to the 1940’s, featuring dated music and radio station shout outs. It is a great touch to the production values as a whole. Zeb Soanes provides the voice of the newsreader and Your Tunes Presenter and Jon Fiber the voice of Clement Atlee.
The show’s set is incredibly clever, managing to fit all nine Cluedo rooms seamlessly together. By using a basic set for the hall, the rest pulls out to create each room. As with the traditional board game, we also have the secret passageways as well.
The storyline for the play feels a little slow in the first half as it sets up the characters and you don’t have too much of an idea what exactly is going on until the big reveal at the end, which is well written and well performed. Nevertheless, the actors keep you engaged and you never really worry about what is going on as the humour and acting carry the piece.
The play hinges heavily on Wadsworth the butler and Jean-Luke Worrell is exceptional in his portrayal of the character. He is funny but also incredibly creepy and sinister and you always think he is hiding something. The whole character is played very well and tells the story through his body language and in his facial expressions.
Babbage’s Reverend Green must be held in the same vein as Worrell’s Wadsworth, with him being unassuming and providing a lot of comedy from slapstick elements - you just constantly feel sorry for him. It is a homage to his great acting that the character is one of the best in the piece.
Collins’ Miss Scarlett adds a certain amount of glamour to the piece, and is witty and sarcastic in the perfect dosage. Griffith’s Colonel Mustard must also be singled out for praise. He commands the stage during his scenes and provides ample comedy moments, along with the small details which add to his characterisation such as moustache twiddling.
The synergy between the cast as a whole makes the piece work incredibly well, and allows you to build relationships with the characters as you’re watching them. Whilst as previously stated the storyline feels slow in places, credit must go to the writers for investing in the characters and making them the forefront of the piece.
With six murder weapons, some murders and many twists and turns, can you figure out the world’s favourite whodunnit?
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Emma Rooney
Cluedo plays at Cambridge Arts Theatre until 19 February before continuing its UK tour. To book tickets for select touring venues, please click here.