Monday 24th – Saturday 28th September 2024 – Connaught Theatre, Worthing
3 stars
Cluedo 2 – The Next Chapter brings a dose of 1960s style, plenty of slapstick and a good old-fashioned whodunnit to the stage. Drawing inspiration from the beloved board game, Cluedo, this play serves up a mix of mystery and classic comedy.
Rock ‘n’ roll star Rick Black (played by Liam Horrigan) is the central figure but his fame and fortune are fading fast. Desperate for a comeback, Rick throws a party at the luxurious Graveny Manor to unveil his latest album. The guest list is a quirky collection of familiar names including his supermodel wife Emerald Peacock (Hannah Boyce), his long-time manager Colonel Mustard (Jason Durr), his roadie Professor Plum (Edward Howells), interior designer Annabel Scarlett (Ellie Leach), actor/butler Wadsworth (Jack Bennett) and the sharp-witted housekeeper Mrs White (Dawn Buckland).
Things take a twist when Rick’s former songwriting partner, Reverend Green (Gabriel Paul), mysteriously reappears after a long disappearance. Before long, the stage is set for a classic murder mystery, with plenty of laughs and a fair bit of chaos as the characters scramble to figure out who’s behind the mayhem.
The first half lacks momentum and takes its time introducing the characters with some of the jokes falling flat. However, things really kick into gear in the second act. The pace quickens, the bodies start to pile up and the jokes come thick and fast. What the play might lack in suspense, it more than makes up for in laughs, especially with the energetic physical comedy from Liam Horrigan, who takes on multiple roles and gets one of the night’s biggest laughs.
Dawn Buckland shines as Mrs White, delivering her lines with pitch-perfect comic timing and providing some of the most memorable moments of the show. Special credit also goes to the creative set changes which see the cast cleverly moving furniture and props in choreographed routines to the sounds of ‘60s hits, adding a playful touch to the production.
While Cluedo 2 may not hit every mark in terms of suspense or character development, it’s hard to be too critical of a show that’s clearly designed to be lighthearted fun. Directed by Mark Bell (known for The Play That Goes Wrong) and written by Maurice Gran and Laurence Marks (Goodnight Sweetheart, Birds of a Feather), the play is a tribute to the classic murder mystery format but with a heavy dose of British humour.
If you’re in the mood for a night of campy, chaotic entertainment, Cluedo 2 offers exactly that.
