Theatre

Cluedo 2 The Next Chapter at The Mayflower Southampton Review

DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW

Reviewed by Georgina Bentley

I was looking forward to going to see Cluedo2 as I was hoping that it would bring back the wonderful memories I have of playing Cluedo with my family back in the 80’s/90’s, I can safely say that as I took my seat at the wonderful Mayflower Theatre, Southampton, it didn’t disappoint. The playing board from the Hasbro board game, on which the play is based, was the back drop to the stage and those memories came flooding back. I found myself saying in my head ‘Colonel Mustard in the Library with the Lead Piping’. We’d have to see what unfolds in the next hour and a half to find out if my predictions were to come true!!!!

The story sees a 60’s rock star (Rick Black played by Liam Horrigan) trying to revive his career by launching a new album. He brings a group of people together in his manor house to help rejuvenate his stardom. We hear about the background of his past relationships with this diverse group, who all have seemingly convoluted back stories to tell, adding questionable intrigued into the ‘whodunit’ scenario.

The characters were all dressed appropriately in clothing of the same colour as their piece in the board game, which definitely helped with following the story, talking of which it was rather slow in the first half and didn’t feel like it flowed too well at all. I was much more comfortable with the pace and content in the second half and found it much more pleasing to watch. The actors themselves played their roles brilliantly and couldn’t be to blame, it was the clever writing that maybe was a bit too clever at times that made the show feel a little disjointed.

There were many moments of humour and wit and the cook’s main scene was the highlight for me, the cook (Mrs White) being played by Dawn Buckland who was extremely captivating and funny, bringing a light hearted feel to many of the scenes of interrogation of the suspects. Ellie Leach did an amazing job of bringing Miss Scarlett to life, this being her stage debut – well done Ellie. The talented West End and TV star Jason Durr plays the part really well of the very charming Colonel Mustard who was full of suspicion, although his often exaggerated Deep South cowboy accent could be quite grating at times. A mention must be given to Jack Bennett who plays Wadsworth the Butler who isn’t a Butler! Jack delivers his lines with impeccable timing and just enough wit, even though his ‘joke’ line may have been rather overused during the duration of the show, it still brought quite a lot of laughter throughout the theatre.

The staging and scenery were just right I thought and gave it the Cluedo board game feel. The way the sets were changed were ingenious and made you feel just like you were moving around the board into the different rooms, with the subtlety of the game board in the background moving around and highlighting the room that you were now in with every scene, very clever.

The show gives its audience moments of intrigue, suspense, laughter and unexpected surprises within this very farcical story. Well done to writers Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran if this is what you set out to do.

Cluedo 2 is on at the Mayflower, Southampton until 23rd June. Tickets are from £20.50 and available at

https://www.mayflower.org.uk/whats-on/cluedo-2-the-next-chapter-2024/   https://www.mayflower.org.uk/

Rating: 3/5

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