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Cluedo 2 – The Next Chapter
April 30th - May 4th
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Following the huge success of the smash hit original play, Cluedo is back with a brand new hilarious whodunit – CLUEDO 2 – The Next Chapter! Set in the swinging 1960s, we meet a host new suspects, a new house, and lot of new bodies, in this all new tale of murder, mystery and secret passageways.
The brilliant cast includes West End and TV star Jason Durr, whose numerous credits include leading roles in Heartbeat and Casualty, playing Colonel Mustard and award winning actress and star of Coronation Street and Strictly Come Dancing champion, Ellie Leach, playing Miss Scarlett
If you’re a fan of the much loved board game – you’re gonna enjoy this! If you enjoyed the hysterical first play – you’re gonna love this one! And if you missed the first play it doesn’t matter – this is a brand new story – so come and have some fun – you’ll love it too!
Rock n roll legend Rick Black has not had a hit for years and he’s broke. But as he settles into his brand new, expensive home, Graveny Manor, Rick is desperate to revive his fading career and reclaim his fame and fortune…. and is prepared to do anything to get it back.
Excited to reveal his long-awaited comeback album, Rick has assembled his supermodel wife, The Honourable Emerald Peacock; his manager, Colonel Eugene Mustard, long-time roadie “Professor” Alex Plum, Annabel Scarlett his trusted interior designer and housekeeper Mrs White, who came with house and who knows all its secrets.
But there is still someone missing… Rick’s former song-writing partner “The Reverend” Hal Green, disappeared mysteriously at the same time that Rick’s career went downhill and without him, has Rick still got it?
And where did that butler come from?
As the bodies pile up, our infamous colourful characters uncover each other’s mysteries and secrets, as they dart from room to room trying to escape the killer and survive the night.
With an all-new story, written by BAFTA Award winners Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, (Birds of A Feather, Dreamboats and Petticoats) and directed by Mark Bell – director of the original hit UK production of Cluedo and the global phenomenon, The Play That Goes Wrong, Cluedo 2 – The Next Chapter, is a rollocking spoof of a comedy that will keep you guessing right up to the final twist and invites budding detectives of all ages, from 8 to 80 and beyond, to watch for the clues and unravel the secrets, as we all try to work out whodunnit…. with what… and where!!
Running time: 2 hours (including interval)
Praise for Cluedo
“…a surefire night of comedy entertainment” Southwark News
“Perfect viewing no matter what your age!” Love London Love Culture
“This is good, old fashioned entertainment for all ages 9 to 90” Edinburghguide.com
Photo Credit: Alastair Muir and Dave Hogan
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Event Reviews
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Paul
Ludricrous (or should I say cluedicrous?) send up of every stately home murder mystery you’ve ever seen, but very funny. The popular board game is just the vehicle for the cast to shamelessly ham things up as they seek the murderer of aging rocker, Rick Black. Brilliantly written and cleverly directed as the characters navigate their way round Gravely Manor, which becomes an extra character. Jack Bennett as (“I’m not a butler”) Wadsworth gets most of the good lines but is ultimately upstaged by a stuffed bear - yes, it’s that sort of show. The cast seemed to be enjoying it as much as the audience and received a well-deserved enthusiastic ovation when things reached an end. Whodunnit? Who did n’t (no spoilers, but it was n’t the bear)!
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The View from the Stalls
A solid if somewhat frantic follow up to the original.
When the first stage version of Cluedo toured a couple of years ago, it was intriguing to imagine how the well-known board game would translate into a live show. Clearly how it was done made it a big success as it has now been followed by the rather unimaginatively-entitled Cluedo 2.
The director remains the same - Mark Bell - as does the set designer, David Farley, but writing credits this time go the prolific writing partnership of Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran who, for 60 years, have been responsible for major TV and stage hits including Birds of a feather, The New Statesman and, more recently, a plethora of Dreamcoats and Petticoats musicals.
Rather than replicating the first play, there have been some major changes this time. The original set, which consisted of walls which contained doors for each character, has gone and instead we are presented with a large backdrop of the actual Cluedo board. So where are all the doors? Well cleverly, in many cases a door is walked onto the stage, the character walks through it and we are in a new room (where other appropriate pieces of scenery are brought in). Clever, eh?
This play takes place in 1968, on a "dark and stormy evening" (obviously!) in a country manor house which has been bought by a rock star and where he is making a new album after a couple of flops. The various murderous tools are introduced, innocently enough, at the start of the play as the essence of each the characters reveals itself.
The well-known characters are all there and all seemingly having a reason to be a murderer as the death toll mounts (no spoilers!). It is curious and somewhat jarring that, given that Cluedo is an archetypal British invention (created during World War Two air raids by an avid but bored crime enthusiast called Adrian Platt - in Birmingham no less), two of the characters have been turned into Americans. Whilst this does lead to some of the comedy coming from Americans having different words for things (the essential weapon of the "spanner" is for them a "wrench" for example), it doesn’t really add anything than wouldn’t be achieved by having equally eccentric British characters in those roles.
Some of the set changes are quite extensive, requiring a lot of co-ordination by the cast and these do work really well and, by the end, most of the characters have been dispatched by fair means or foul…
With Jason Durr and Ellie Leach (2023 Strictly winner and, here, in her first acting role) playing the two main characters (Durr in particular playing his with real if exaggerated relish) the show has a fine ensemble cast and the audience certainly enjoyed the thrill of the chase.
Cluedo is celebrating its 75th birthday and the stage show is keeping the board game in the public eye. No doubt Cluedo 3 will be along at some point…
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Showtime! John Phillpott
The first murder comes a great relief to everyone. Of course, at this stage of these supremely ridiculous proceedings, the identity of the killer who does us all a huge favour by ridding the world of tedious rock star Rick Black, must obviously remain unknown.
This is, after all, formulaic stuff, that peculiarly British love of fantasy homicide, just as long as it’s viewed from beneath an all-enveloping and calming - preferably hedgehog pattern - duvet. You know what I mean.
Mind you, in this case, the number of suspects probably runs into the hundreds, because after only a few minutes, the entire audience is squirming and undoubtedly also harbouring murderous thoughts as this Russell Brand lookalike whines and whinges over a soundtrack of horrendous Grateful Dead-esque retro lead guitar breaks.
So goodbye monosyllabic rocking Rick, played with irritatingly authentic late 1960s posturing by Liam Horrigan. On the strength of this performance, I now look forward to seeing him starring in some future The Rise and Fall of Russell Brand: The Musical.
Nevertheless, the night is yet young, and further dastardly doings lie ahead in a show so end-of-the-pier that you can almost smell the rotting seaweed and discarded cockle cartons floating along the tideline.
Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran most certainly picked a winning formula with this new version of the original Cluedo, directed at a relentless, cracking pace by Mark Bell.
This time around, it’s set in the late 1960s, hence the inclusion of the Rick Black character, the period feel further being emphasised by the dialogue, which cleverly shoehorns in the occasional line from classic pop songs.
Television screen favourite Jason Durr plays the part of Colonel Mustard, an American who finds himself trapped, Agatha Christie-style, in a country manor house on that obligatory and much-loved stormy, windswept night.
In case the audience is in any danger of forgetting, we are periodically reminded of the Gothic atmosphere by the crash of thunderclaps, neatly positioned in between the sharp crack of death-dealing pistol shots.
Durr valiantly maintains his accent throughout, his clipped Clark Gable Gone with the Wind diction only occasionally straying into Gabby Hayes frontier gibberish territory.
There are spirited performances from Hannah Boyce as Mrs Peacock, who appears to be a fashion refugee from the previous decade as she struts, snarls and snipes like a 1950s debutante who’s lost her way and found herself in the smokeroom at the Dog and Duck instead of the glittering ballroom at Buckingham Palace.
However, the night really belongs to Ellie Leach as Miss Scarlett, making her theatrical stage debut in the wake of winning last year’s Strictly Come Dancing. Ellie cut her acting teeth playing a teenage unmarried mother in Coronation Street, and on the evidence of this week’s show, she has clearly made a successful transition from television studio to theatre stage.
There are visual gags a-plenty, too, courtesy of Gabriel Paul as the Reverend Green, not to be confused with soul singer Al Green, as he points out early on, in the first gag of many.
The restless energy that Paul brings to the role meets its counterpoint in the irrepressible Mrs White (Dawn Buckland) and the superbly snivelling and simpering Wadsworth (Jack Bennett), a man who knows his place in this lethal pecking order.
The game of Cluedo was apparently devised by a couple by the name of Pratt as they endured the nightly blitz on Birmingham during the Second World War.
Little did they know that all these years later, their brainchild would still be going down a bomb with audiences up and down the land.
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Weekend Notes - Alison Brinkworth
This new murder caper starring Strictly Come Dancing winner Ellie Leach is somewhat of a mystery in itself, born out of the popularity of its predecessor Cluedo.
The original that toured theatres last year was based on the zany US film Clue but this 'next chapter' making its world premiere is an unknown quantity. It follows a similar vein and is very much more comedy than thriller, with all the eccentricities of the much-loved murder mystery board game.
I caught the show's UK tour while it was at Malvern Theatres , where it stays until Saturday May 4. It's also in the Midlands at Cheltenham's Everyman Theatre from July 16 to 20 and at Birmingham Alexandra Theatre from July 23 to 27.
This time, it's set in the 1960s and based around a rock star at his secluded mansion. There's various dubious characters around him from his wife Mrs Peacock to American manager Colonel Mustard and former writing partner Reverend Hal Green(cue lots of jokes referring to soul singer Al Green).
There's also Leach, pictured above, making her stage debut as a suspicious decorator Miss Scarlett. Her years on Coronation Street as Faye Windass have stood her well as she feels very natural and even uses some of what she learned with dance partner Vito in Strictly Come Dancing.
Although much of the first 20 minutes feels stilted and strange, it's getting the audience adjusted to what Cluedo 2 is - a quirky, farcical panto of sorts. It feels much more tongue-in-cheek than Cluedo mark one and has plenty of beautifully choreographed music interludes that get to show off various rooms in the house.
From the study to the ballroom, they all get a moment to shine but the billiard room is the most fun. It's where the suspects play a game using miniature special effects that sum up the craziness of this goofy comedy.
Based on the classic Hasbro boardgame, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, there's a constantly moving set and a backdrop showing the layout of the famous murder house.
Leach isn't the only familiar face as there's also Casualty and Heartbeat actor Jason Durr having fun with an American southern drawl as eccentric Colonel Mustard.
Dawn Buckland is refreshing as the dubious and outspoken cook Mrs White and has most of the best lines. She is a scene-stealer who lifts this play up to another level. Jack Bennett, as a mysterious actor playing the butler Wadsworth, is also a lynchpin of the show.
BAFTA Award-winning writers Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, who were responsible for Birds of a Feather and Goodnight Sweetheart, are behind this follow-up that often turns into farce.
Director Mark Bell has form from The Play That Goes Wrong and has used much of that stylised choreography in this too. Although as fun as Cluedo 2 is, it's not of that calibre.
The tempo speeds up after the interval and the finale is a madcap series of events that will constantly keep the audience on their toes.
Cluedo 2 is light-hearted, silly fun that isn't meant to be taken seriously but enjoyed for all its delightful frivolity. So sit back and enjoy the mayhem of this crazy caper.
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A View from Behind the Arras
It was appropriate and reassuring to see the board of Cluedo as the backdrop to this production; tHe show was very cleverly designed by David Farley from start to finish. The use of roll-on/roll-off scenery and properties to create the different rooms and settings for the play – the conservatory, the kitchen, the billiard room, the study etc – worked delightfully and ingeniously.
Into this setting we meet the cast of mostly familiar characters – Colonel Mustard, Miss Scarlett, Professor Plum, Miss White etc. This production is zany and farcical - full of exaggerated and stylised characters and performances. We are treated to more than a single murder; suspicions shift from one to another, accusations fly around and the absurd and slapstick become the norm!
The cast have gathered at the manor house of a failing rock star, Rick Black, who hopes to revive his career with a new release, but who promptly meets his doom. The familiar characters are linked in different ways to him: Colonel Mustard is his manager, Miss Scarlett his interior designer, Miss Peacock his unfaithful wife etc.
The cast is wonderfully varied and all the performers are talented and flexible. Mrs White (Dawn Buckland) and Wadsworth , the ‘butler’ who wasn’t, (Jack Bennett), were outstanding in a strong team, along with the adaptable Liam Horrigan who covered several bases.
The traditional implements, - the rope, the dagger, the revolver, the lead-piping, the candlestick - all played their parts in a mesmerising turn of events. Who could survive?
After a slow start the performance gathered momentum, the second act was very funny. The cleverly designed set was complemented by excellent work on costume, lighting and sound. The physical comedy and the choreographed movements contributed to an evening of totally light-hearted frivolity in which the cast clearly revelled. The plot is shallow and merely provides the skeleton on which to hang the farce, the puns, the caricatures.
Cluedo 2 provides a nostalgic and entertaining escape this week at Malvern
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Fairy Powered Productions - Courie Amado Juneau
Cluedo 2, as the title suggests, brings the much loved classic boardgame to life once again, with a brand new story from the reliable pens of Maurice Gran and Laurence Marks.
Before the actors entered, the backdrop of the manor house with the classic Cluedo board behind it, at a skewed angle (thanks to Designer David Farley) was a perfect exemplar of scene setting. As was the fantastic ‘60s soundtrack (lots of lovely Beatles tunes got my boat afloat toute suite).
Not wanting to give the game away re whodunnit, with what and in which room (man, that feels good), I’ll just say that the entire cast was superb with Jason Durr (Colonel Mustard) and Gabriel Paul (Reverend Green) giving us a brace of Americans with the requisite larger than life bluster and convincing accents to boot. Meanwhile, Liam Horrigan brought rock star Rick Black (and several others) to psychadelacolour life. Jack Bennett as Wadsworth the butler delivered a standout performance with a manic, pedantic and joyously twisted character to die for (or is that to kill for?). Truly thespianic – he is an actor you know…
The ladies of the cast were all wonderful and an equal to the men, with Ellie Leach leading as the iconic Miss Scarlett. Hard to believe it is her stage debut! The scenes between her and Mrs Peacock (Hannah Boyce) had a frisson of cattiness that was a joy to behold. Mrs White’s “fruity” interjections (delivered with relish by Dawn Buckland) in the kitchen was possibly the funniest moment of the evening and her character was my favourite overall (alongside the aforementioned, marvelous, actor/butler).
Great costumes bringing that most stylish of periods (1968) to life; Debbie Bennett (Costume Supervisor) excelled herself. I thought the use of music, used especially effectively for the transitions between rooms and the “searches/chases”, gave proceedings more than a touch of Scooby Doo – with some wonderful hilarity involving pictures/picture frames. A faithful homage that obviously emanated from a place of love and respect and took one back to simpler, happier times. Anna Healey (Movement Director) and Mark Bell (Director) gave us some lovely allusions to Strictly, cleverly woven into several action scenes. I’m a massive sucker for a slo-mo vignette and the cast did this so well tonight.
Comedy was very much to the fore with lots of breaking of the fourth wall (especially either side of the interval). The theme of English idioms being misunderstood by the Yanks was a rich, recurring seam of comedy gold. The first half was fun, the second half took off like a rocket and didn’t let up till the numerous superb twists in the tale rounded things off most satisfactorily.
Anyone who saw Cluedo in its original run will know what to expect and will love this new tale from the same universe. With all the clever wordplay from the writers, whose vast pedigree precedes them, and some delicious Play That Goes Wrong moments there’s something for everybody. I cannot recommend this show highly enough – it’s murderously good fun! The actors dunnit, with the script, in the theatre – and will be doing it again until Saturday night, so don’t miss it as they dunnit so well!
