Farce, Pantomime, And Puzzling Plots Cluedo 2

Graveny Manor 1968: “Who did it? In which room did they do it, and with what weapon?”

We’ve all played the game, and we already felt familiar with the characters that were brought to life in this cleverly written stage production of Cleudo 2. Grand, expensive Graveny Manor is the setting for this mystery, where rock and roll legend Rick Black (Liam Horrigan) resides, longing for his first hit in many years…but instead being killed that fateful day. Writers Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran have written a script that is a mysterious mix of farce, pantomime, and puzzling plots.

The set is very clever, and the audience moves from room to room with the characters as the plot takes its twists and turns. Throughout the play, suspicions move from one character to the next, and only the cleverest of people would have guessed the real murderer(s) in the end! The play starts off a little slow as all the characters are introduced, but it warms up as the night goes on, and the second half is definitely better! The movement director, Anna Healey, deserves a mention for her chorography of the scenes where characters are ‘running’ through the house, passing pictures on the stairs—an inventive and successful illusion. The scenes in the billiard room are also cleverly choreographed.

The whole cast is great, but two actors stood out for us: Jack Bennett (Wadsworth) and understudy Audrey Anderson (Mrs White). Bennett was hilarious, playing the butler who wasn’t a butler, cracking repetitive jokes throughout, and providing a masterclass in comic timing. Anderson was a delight to watch, playing a purposefully odd character, popping up all the time with witty jokes. Her kitchen scene, which involved all kinds of different cakes, really got the audience laughing. All the actors showcased their skills, not least their ability to change accents in a second.

If you are a fan of the famous board game, you will love this show! Just watch out…You never know when a murderer may be lurking behind you!

Cleudo 2 is on at York Theatre Royal until Saturday 16 March