Cluedo At Theatre Royal Nottingham Review

Reviewed by Louise Edwards

Turning a family loved classic board game into a stage play is certainly an innovative idea but really Cluedo was ripe for the picking to inspire the ultimate whodunnit based on characters we all know and love.  Of course Cluedo has been made into a film, with the 1985 hit Clue by Jonathan Ruskin, but this theatre adaptation written by Sandy Ruskin and directed by Mark Bell, director of the award winning The Play That Goes Wrong and A Comedy About A Bank Robbery is one not to be missed as it arrives in Nottingham this week as part of a nationwide tour lasting until the end of July.

The stage is set as the halfway of a grand home, complete with chandelier at the centre with doorways around the edge. I loved that each of these was lit in the colours of the main characters! As we took our seats the radio was playing music from the Andrews sisters to set the period which the play is set.

First onto the stage is the maid, Yvette, played by Laura Kirman dusting around the house in her own world. The first through the door is Wadsworth, played by Jean-Luke Worrell, who we learn is the butler, looking very dapper and in control. He introduces us to the evening where a select group are invited for dinner.

As our board game favourites walk in with Michelle Collins (who needs no introduction) as Miss Scarlet, Daniel Casey (aka Sgt Troy in Midsummer Murders) as Professor Plum, Etisyai Phillips as Miss White, Wesley Griffith as Colonel Mustard, Judith Amsenga as Mrs Peacock and Tom Babbage as Reverend Green all dressed to suit the character they have been given in the invitation they have been given from Lord Boddy, whose house they are in.

Huge credit goes to David Farley for the set design which transforms from Hall to Dining Room, Study, Library and Billiards Room to name but a few seamlessly and effortlessly to really bring the board game to life. There are even those secret passageways that are in the game. The costumes are spot on in creating the board game characters who look like they have just stepped out of the box.

The characters take their seats for dinner in this farcical comedy with impeccable comic timing and general daft capers that have the audience laughing out loud from the very beginning. Their host is still missing which raises questions but they are introduced to Lord Boddy after dinner where he is waiting for them in the study. Each character receives a gift specially chosen for them and the reason for the dinner is exposed – putting everyone in suspicion and ramping up the drama.

The show is high energy and fast paced. It is enjoyable and entertaining from the very beginning and whether you are a fan of the board game or not, any fan of comedy will love this.  I would say it is more for an adult audience, though it is suitable for those aged 9+ The monologue by Worrall summing up the events of the evening at the end of the play is fantastic and unmissable. It was definitely fun to see actors such as Casey and Colins play comedy roles when you are used to seeing them in a more serious guise.

Fantastic silliness and a fun evening!

Rating: 4/5

Tickets cost from £18.50

Cluedo is at The Theatre Royal, Nottingham until Saturday 5 March 2022

For more information or to book tickets visit https://trch.co.uk/whats-on/cluedo-22/ or call the box office on 0115 989 5555

Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall, Theatre Square, Nottingham, NG1 5ND

Further tour dates can be found here https://www.cluedostageplay.com/book