REVIEW
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
CLUEDO 2
STARRING
CASUALTY’S JASON DURR
AND
REIGNING STRICTLY CHAMPION ELLIE LEACH
Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
17th-21st September 2024
TICKETS ON SALE NOW: CLUEDOSTAGEPLAY.COM
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
CLUEDO 2
STARRING
CASUALTY’S JASON DURR
AND
REIGNING STRICTLY CHAMPION ELLIE LEACH
Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
17th-21st September 2024
TICKETS ON SALE NOW: CLUEDOSTAGEPLAY.COM
What do you get when you cross the writers of a whole host of Britain’s most popular comedies including Shine on Harvey Moon, Birds of a Feather, Goodnight Sweetheart and The New Statesman, the director of The Play That Goes Wrong, a cast of talented performers and a 75 year old whodunnit board game? You get a perfectly whacky hybrid of comedic talent and night full of laugh out loud fun!
Cluedo was one of my favourite board games as a child and, as my ever patient family will tell you, I always had to be Miss Scarlett. The thrill of finding out who the murderer was and in which room and by what implement was such a genius concept. The joy of exclaiming “It was Colonel Mustard, in the study, with the lead piping!” was possibly the beginnings of my love for many a murder mystery; and so it was with my Miss Marple/Jessica Fletcher head on that I ventured into the Palace Theatre, Westcliff for the first night of Cluedo 2.
It’s a typical murder mystery scenerio. Set in the swinging sixties and in the mansion of rock star, Rick Black and his wife, Mrs Peacock (she didn’t change her name when she remarried) and joined by all the colourful characters of the board game: Colonel Peacock, Professor Plum, Miss Scarlett, The Reverend Green and of course, the housekeeper, Mrs White, this is a genre of murder mystery that you will possibly have never seen before.
The writers, Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, certainly haven’t lost their comedic touch and have filled this play with plenty of laugh out loud humour. It’s farce at its quirkiest and director, Mark Bell, has injected his own style of funny into the bones of what this play is all about, and the cast have completely embraced it.
There are some hilarious moments from Colonel Mustard (Jason Durr) and Rev Green (Gabriel Paul) who have, very cleverly for this play, become Americanised, with the play on the misunderstanding of British sayings being a wittily worked theme throughout. Liam Horrigan as Rick and especially as the detective later on, shows off some great character acting.
Jack Bennett as Wadsworth - “I’m an actor not a butler!” and Hannah Boyce as Mrs Emerald Peacock are both played brilliantly well and with complete conviction and it was a joy to see Ellie Leach (reigning Strictly champion and former Coronation Street actor) do a sensational job in the role of Miss Scarlett. So often we see soap stars and tv actors take to the stage and have no clue (excuse the pun) how to project when it comes to performing in front of a theatre audience. This play marks Ellie’s stage debut and I really hope it won’t be her last. She also gets the chance to show off a few dance steps giving a nice opportunity for a comedic quip or two towards her Strictly win.
Dawn Buckland as Mrs White, the all-knowing housekeeper, looks like she has a ball in this peach of a role and there’s a great skit reminiscent of The Two Ronnies in one part of the show where she pops in and out of the dialogue with a cake or two. Very clever.
The set is relatively minimal with the large backdrop of the classic board game map showing the design of the house with its various rooms. Each scene change taking us from room to room is done by the cast in a fabulously funky way and the movement is seamlessly sensational.
The script is quick and quirky and any fans of The Play That Goes Wrong will appreciate the parody vibes throughout, with exaggerated reactions and over the top gestures. There’s a lot of fun to be had and this is a well-gelled ensemble who have to work hard especially in those scene changes. I don’t think I’ve ever looked forward to a scene change so much, or ever, actually. Set to funky background music, they reminded me a bit of the groovy Scooby Doo gang as they hot stepped in and out of view. There’s also a bit of Toast of London vibes in there somewhere and I loved the nod to Mrs Overall (Acorn Antiques) from Mrs White as she exited the stage at one point.
With body after body being bumped off, there’s an awful lot of sleuthing to be had, although if you can guess who the murderer is, you probably do actually work at Scotland Yard. There are, as is often the case, many twists and turns to be had before a conclusion is reached. However, if you're just looking for an evening of pure fun, slapstick and silliness, you really can't go wrong with Cluedo 2. Get yourself along to the Palace Theatre, Westcliff this week, sit back, roll the dice and enjoy the fun.
Review: Kim Tobin
Cluedo was one of my favourite board games as a child and, as my ever patient family will tell you, I always had to be Miss Scarlett. The thrill of finding out who the murderer was and in which room and by what implement was such a genius concept. The joy of exclaiming “It was Colonel Mustard, in the study, with the lead piping!” was possibly the beginnings of my love for many a murder mystery; and so it was with my Miss Marple/Jessica Fletcher head on that I ventured into the Palace Theatre, Westcliff for the first night of Cluedo 2.
It’s a typical murder mystery scenerio. Set in the swinging sixties and in the mansion of rock star, Rick Black and his wife, Mrs Peacock (she didn’t change her name when she remarried) and joined by all the colourful characters of the board game: Colonel Peacock, Professor Plum, Miss Scarlett, The Reverend Green and of course, the housekeeper, Mrs White, this is a genre of murder mystery that you will possibly have never seen before.
The writers, Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, certainly haven’t lost their comedic touch and have filled this play with plenty of laugh out loud humour. It’s farce at its quirkiest and director, Mark Bell, has injected his own style of funny into the bones of what this play is all about, and the cast have completely embraced it.
There are some hilarious moments from Colonel Mustard (Jason Durr) and Rev Green (Gabriel Paul) who have, very cleverly for this play, become Americanised, with the play on the misunderstanding of British sayings being a wittily worked theme throughout. Liam Horrigan as Rick and especially as the detective later on, shows off some great character acting.
Jack Bennett as Wadsworth - “I’m an actor not a butler!” and Hannah Boyce as Mrs Emerald Peacock are both played brilliantly well and with complete conviction and it was a joy to see Ellie Leach (reigning Strictly champion and former Coronation Street actor) do a sensational job in the role of Miss Scarlett. So often we see soap stars and tv actors take to the stage and have no clue (excuse the pun) how to project when it comes to performing in front of a theatre audience. This play marks Ellie’s stage debut and I really hope it won’t be her last. She also gets the chance to show off a few dance steps giving a nice opportunity for a comedic quip or two towards her Strictly win.
Dawn Buckland as Mrs White, the all-knowing housekeeper, looks like she has a ball in this peach of a role and there’s a great skit reminiscent of The Two Ronnies in one part of the show where she pops in and out of the dialogue with a cake or two. Very clever.
The set is relatively minimal with the large backdrop of the classic board game map showing the design of the house with its various rooms. Each scene change taking us from room to room is done by the cast in a fabulously funky way and the movement is seamlessly sensational.
The script is quick and quirky and any fans of The Play That Goes Wrong will appreciate the parody vibes throughout, with exaggerated reactions and over the top gestures. There’s a lot of fun to be had and this is a well-gelled ensemble who have to work hard especially in those scene changes. I don’t think I’ve ever looked forward to a scene change so much, or ever, actually. Set to funky background music, they reminded me a bit of the groovy Scooby Doo gang as they hot stepped in and out of view. There’s also a bit of Toast of London vibes in there somewhere and I loved the nod to Mrs Overall (Acorn Antiques) from Mrs White as she exited the stage at one point.
With body after body being bumped off, there’s an awful lot of sleuthing to be had, although if you can guess who the murderer is, you probably do actually work at Scotland Yard. There are, as is often the case, many twists and turns to be had before a conclusion is reached. However, if you're just looking for an evening of pure fun, slapstick and silliness, you really can't go wrong with Cluedo 2. Get yourself along to the Palace Theatre, Westcliff this week, sit back, roll the dice and enjoy the fun.
Review: Kim Tobin
The world premiere production of Cluedo 2 is now adding a second autumn leg to its hugely popular UK tour and will now run until November 2024. Starring Casualty’s Jason Durr as Colonel Mustard and Ellie Leach – the reigning Strictly Come Dancing champion, who is making her stage acting debut – as Miss Scarlett, the show is based on the classic Hasbro board game, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. The nine-month tour will now visit 12 additional theatres culminating in Northampton on 30 November.
Audiences in Southend now have the chance to see this ultimate whodunnit.
Ellie won the hearts of the nation as she waltzed her way to victory (with dance partner Vito) to win the Glitterball Trophy last December. She is also known to millions of viewers as Faye Windass in Coronation Street. During her 13 years on the soap, Ellie was involved in various memorable storylines and nominated for numerous acting awards.
West End actor and TV favourite Jason Durr was most recently seen as David Hide in BBC One’s Casualty, (a role he played for seven years from 2016), audiences will also recognise Jason from his numerous other roles, including the motorbike riding policeman Mike Bradley from ITV’s hugely popular series, Heartbeat.
Ellie Leach said: “I’ve really enjoyed bringing Miss Scarlett to life on stage. It’s so much fun to perform this iconic character and to see audiences of all ages having such a good time at every show, so I’m really thrilled to be extending the tour.”
Jason Durr said: “I’m delighted to be continuing as Colonel Mustard in Cludeo 2. The audience reaction during our first few weeks of performances has been fantastic and I can’t wait to bring this hilarious whodunnit to many more audiences around the UK.”
The cast is completed by Jack Bennett (Wadsworth), Hannah Boyce (Mrs Peacock), Dawn Buckland (Mrs White), Liam Horrigan (Mr Black), Edward Howells (Professor Plum), Tiwai Muza (PC Silver) and Gabriel Paul (Reverend Green) with Kara Alberts-Turner, Audrey Anderson and Henry Lawes.
Following the huge success of the critically acclaimed original play, Cluedo is back on stage with a brand new, original comedy mystery, set in the swinging 60’s. Written by one of the UK’s most successful TV and stage writing duos, BAFTA Award winning writers Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, (Birds of a Feather, Goodnight Sweetheart and Dreamboats and Petticoats) and directed by Mark Bell (The Play That Goes Wrong, A Comedy About a Bank Robbery), who will bring the action of this hilarious whodunnit to life.
Set and Costume Design is by David Farley, Lighting by Jason Taylor, Sound by Jon Fiber and Movement Direction by Anna Healey.
As the bodies pile up, our colourful characters - The Honourable Mrs Emerald Peacock, Colonel Eugene Mustard, ‘Professor’ Alex Plum, Miss Annabel Scarlett, ‘The Reverend’ Hal Green and the housekeeper Mrs White - 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!
Cluedo 2 is produced by JAS Theatricals, Gabriel Creative Partners, The Araca Group and Lively McCabe Entertainment. Cluedo on stage is based on the Hasbro board game and the Paramount Pictures motion picture, Clue.
Audiences in Southend now have the chance to see this ultimate whodunnit.
Ellie won the hearts of the nation as she waltzed her way to victory (with dance partner Vito) to win the Glitterball Trophy last December. She is also known to millions of viewers as Faye Windass in Coronation Street. During her 13 years on the soap, Ellie was involved in various memorable storylines and nominated for numerous acting awards.
West End actor and TV favourite Jason Durr was most recently seen as David Hide in BBC One’s Casualty, (a role he played for seven years from 2016), audiences will also recognise Jason from his numerous other roles, including the motorbike riding policeman Mike Bradley from ITV’s hugely popular series, Heartbeat.
Ellie Leach said: “I’ve really enjoyed bringing Miss Scarlett to life on stage. It’s so much fun to perform this iconic character and to see audiences of all ages having such a good time at every show, so I’m really thrilled to be extending the tour.”
Jason Durr said: “I’m delighted to be continuing as Colonel Mustard in Cludeo 2. The audience reaction during our first few weeks of performances has been fantastic and I can’t wait to bring this hilarious whodunnit to many more audiences around the UK.”
The cast is completed by Jack Bennett (Wadsworth), Hannah Boyce (Mrs Peacock), Dawn Buckland (Mrs White), Liam Horrigan (Mr Black), Edward Howells (Professor Plum), Tiwai Muza (PC Silver) and Gabriel Paul (Reverend Green) with Kara Alberts-Turner, Audrey Anderson and Henry Lawes.
Following the huge success of the critically acclaimed original play, Cluedo is back on stage with a brand new, original comedy mystery, set in the swinging 60’s. Written by one of the UK’s most successful TV and stage writing duos, BAFTA Award winning writers Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, (Birds of a Feather, Goodnight Sweetheart and Dreamboats and Petticoats) and directed by Mark Bell (The Play That Goes Wrong, A Comedy About a Bank Robbery), who will bring the action of this hilarious whodunnit to life.
Set and Costume Design is by David Farley, Lighting by Jason Taylor, Sound by Jon Fiber and Movement Direction by Anna Healey.
As the bodies pile up, our colourful characters - The Honourable Mrs Emerald Peacock, Colonel Eugene Mustard, ‘Professor’ Alex Plum, Miss Annabel Scarlett, ‘The Reverend’ Hal Green and the housekeeper Mrs White - 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!
Cluedo 2 is produced by JAS Theatricals, Gabriel Creative Partners, The Araca Group and Lively McCabe Entertainment. Cluedo on stage is based on the Hasbro board game and the Paramount Pictures motion picture, Clue.
Website: cluedostageplay.com
X (formerly Twitter): @CluedoStagePlay
Instagram: @cluedostageplay
Facebook: /CluedoStagePlay
X (formerly Twitter): @CluedoStagePlay
Instagram: @cluedostageplay
Facebook: /CluedoStagePlay
CLUEDO 2 UK Tour Dates
17-21 September
Southend, Palace Theatre
24-28 September
Worthing, Connaught Theatre
1-5 October
Guildford, Yvonne Arnauld
8-12 October
Darlington, Hippodrome
15-19 October
Blackpool, Grand Theatre
22-26 October
Aylesbury, Waterside Theatre
29 October – 2 November
Eastbourne, Devonshire Theatre
12-16 November
New Brighton, Floral Pavilion
19-23 November
Fareham Live
26-30 November
Northampton, Derngate Theatre
*Ellie Leach will not perform at this venue
17-21 September
Southend, Palace Theatre
24-28 September
Worthing, Connaught Theatre
1-5 October
Guildford, Yvonne Arnauld
8-12 October
Darlington, Hippodrome
15-19 October
Blackpool, Grand Theatre
22-26 October
Aylesbury, Waterside Theatre
29 October – 2 November
Eastbourne, Devonshire Theatre
12-16 November
New Brighton, Floral Pavilion
19-23 November
Fareham Live
26-30 November
Northampton, Derngate Theatre
*Ellie Leach will not perform at this venue