If you remember the frantic chaos of the original Cluedo, this is a slightly less manic comedy/mystery but it's very creatively staged with the Cluedo house brought to life without much of a set, writes Chris Gregg.
There are no walls, instead the whole house is completely fluid with props, paintings and doors moving around the stage as the cast push them about in time with the scene change music in a very cleverly choreographed sequences which seem to get ever more elaborate as the show goes on! It's rare that the scene changes are the highlight of the show but I think in this case they probably are!
The entire cast are great, led by Strictly 2023 winner and Corrie star Ellie Leach as Miss Annabel Scarlett, alongside Casualty's Jason Durr as Colonel Eugene Mustard. The cast is completed by Jack Bennett as the 'butler' Wadsworth, Hannah Boyce as The Honourable Mrs Emerald Peacock, Dawn Buckland as the housekeeper Mrs White, Henry Lawes who was excellent as the understudy for Liam Horrigan as Mr Black, Edward Howells as ‘Professor’ Alex Plum, Kara Alberts-Turner as understudy for Tiwai Muza as PC Silver and Gabriel Paul as The Reverend’ Hal Green
The story is set in the swinging sixties, where music producer Mr Black is about to release his highly anticipated new album but with an assortment of guests assembled in his house, events take a largely expected turn and as the bodies pile up, the colourful characters move from room to room trying to escape the murderer and survive the night. Cluedo 2 will keep audiences guessing right up to the final moments, and budding detectives of all ages, from 8 to 80 and beyond, can watch for the clues and unravel the secrets, as they try to work out whodunnit… with what… and where!
This is a very ambitious show which will keep you entertained once you've got used to the style which can be a bit confusing to start with as you try to work out if it's taking itself seriously, but by the time the first murder takes place it's settled into a pace which never gets out of control. There are some genuinely brilliant ideas and great performances from the cast who manage to execute some very complicated prop choreography.
Cluedo 2 is at Milton Keynes Theatre until Saturday.
