Whoplayedit? Whoseenit? and most importantly, Whodunnit?

Last night I witnessed the slickest, funniest murder mystery that I could ever dream of seeing.

Cluedo starring Michelle Collins as Miss Scarlett – and, well I’m going to give him a star here, Jean-Luke Worrell as Wadsworth the butler.

I haven’t laughed as hard in Milton Keynes Theatre for a very long time and maybe not at all, but last night I and the rest of the audience were all the review needed as peals of laughter were nearly continuous throughout the performance, pausing only for breath or to witness someone’s last. 💀

Cluedo the play is even funny on paper. It’s based on the motion picture screenplay, based on the board game, with musical and play adaptations, that’s based on both the film and the game and so forth.. 😂

But let’s start at the beginning, you know Cluedo the board game, right? Cluedo, that is unless you’re American, in which case you know the same game in shorthand as Clue.

I’m sure lots of you owned the game or had your mitts on it at some point. But for me, I have to admit it wasn’t a game that was always pulled out and played, at least not in the official following-the-rules way.

But that didn’t stop the box from being taken out regularly and a thorough examination of the characters and the weapons taking place and gawping at the board that was an impressive floorpan of a grand country house – the 80s/90s version of late night Right Move browsing at the wrong end of the price scale!

Of course, everyone (including me) wanted to be Miss Scarlett. To hold that card, be that character. And when you see her glam face and then see Mrs White’s angry face or Mrs Peacock’s stern looks, it’s not hard to understand why. Oh and apparently Miss Scarlett always goes first. Always knew she was a queen! 👸🏼

And even as a kid, not knowing all the rules on how to play the game precisely, we did know enough.

Person, weapon, location. It was Miss Scarlett with the candlestick in the library! Or was it Professor Plum with the lead pipe in the dining room?! Are you sure? The police are nearly here…YEEK!

The adrenaline of trying to track down the killer and how and where they did it. The imagination of bringing the story to life. It was all such fun.

And somehow Cluedo – A New Play came to Milton Keynes Theatre last night and with it, all the fun of playing the game and then brought it to life on stage.

All the characters arrive at Boddy Manor, welcomed in by the butler Wadsworth (Jean-Luke Worrell). All curious to know why they are there, invited guests to a party which they they do not know their host, or motive for invitation.

We watch as the evening unfolds in the only way a murder mystery game can, with shocks, twists and a body count.

And whilst this all sounds very serious and not funny, it’s actually a hilarious concoction of light hearted jokes, tumbles and mishaps.

You know how playing board games brings out a different side to peoples personalities? We all morph into smack talking, competitive comedians –

…this play is that personality entirely.

The butler Wadsworth (Worrell- see below) is outstanding.

He is so so funny, emotive and captivating. I dunno about just perfect Cluedo-ness but he also gave me amazing The Haunted Mansion vibes too – I LOVED HIM!

He is supported by a fantastic cast, his maid helper Yvette (Laura Kirman) and the guests in his care. Mrs White (Etisyai Philip), Mrs Peacock (Judith Amsenga), Reverend Green (Tom Babbage), Professor Plum (Cover: Harry Bradley) and of course, Miss Scarlett (Michelle Collins) who all amazingly funny and were sharp as a tack with their one liners, if not their alibis.

Also, Reverend Green deserves all the lime light (or is that chandelier light 😂) too. He is hilarious.

The stage is set as the hallway of Boddy Manor with many doors going off to the different rooms of the house. These doors cleverly open up onto the stage. Some rooms you see, some open up like the turn of a playing card to reveal clues and some keep their secrets in the shadows. It’s very clever.

And whilst I’ll leave it up to you to figure out whodunnit, I won’t leave it up to you to figure out whether to go see it. DO IT! As long as laughing your socks off is agreeable to you. You’re in for the best treat this week.

Cluedo is at Milton Keynes Theatre Monday 30 May – Saturday 4 June 2022

Tickets were kindly gifted by Milton Keynes Theatre but they have zero control over what I post, or say about the performance – that’s all me! Thank you for your support. 🖤