Cluedo 2 – The Alexandra, Birmingham

Writers: Maurice Gran and Laurence Marks

Director: Mark Bell

A few years ago, the first stage plays loosely based on the game Cluedo it was a revelation: a parting funny farce that combines the best traditions of British comedy. No doubt boosted by this success, we now have Cluedo 2, written by comedy royalty Maurice Gran and Laurence Marks, is making the rounds. But can it live up to expectations?

With incredibly well done innuendo filled dialogue, great physical comedy, plenty of gags, and a cast at the top of its game, the answer is a resounding “Yes!!”

It’s the sixties and we’re at the mansion of failed musician Rick Black, where a motley crew of hangers-on have gathered. There is his American manager, Colonel Mustard, his (Black’s) wife, Mrs. Peacock (there It is an explanation of why she kept her ex-husband’s last name) and Black’s engineer and general, “Professor” Plum. Mrs. White is the housekeeper, while the interior designer, Miss Scarlett, has been hired to renovate the mansion. The egotistical and childish Black has had a pretty lackluster couple of years with two flop albums since the departure of his former songwriting partner Reverend Hal Green, so everyone is banking on him to produce the goods this time around. But when they gather to hear the tapes of his new Magnum Opus, it gradually becomes clear that he was killed, in the Studio, with, well, a whole array of weapons.

To make more money, Black went behind Mustard’s back to film a gin commercial, and his director, Mr. Grey, and an actor-who-is-certainly-not-a-butler-but-plays -a-butler. , Wadsworth, rounds out the main cast.

It’s no wonder everyone benefits in some way from Black’s death, and of course everyone has at least one secret in their past.

While the plot works (only) as a crime mystery, it is incredibly convoluted with lots of twists and turns and many more murders on the way. Of course, this is by design, allowing many cozy country house murder tropes to be dispatched while metaphorically turning to the audience with a giant knowing wink.

The great physicality, visual gags and running gags mean it’s no surprise to discover that the director, Mark Bell, also directed Mischief Theatre. The piece that goes wrongand that several of the cast are graduates of Mischief productions. The whole thing moves quickly and smoothly. This is aided by David Farley’s set design: his largely empty stage is framed by the outlines of the game board and provides a slightly dizzying feel, while allowing set elements to be inserted and removed to transport us to the various rooms with tight transitions. choreography by movement director Anna Healey. It’s all seriously impressive.

This is truly an ensemble piece. Every actor literally gets a moment in the spotlight and some great lines and business – as well as occasionally dodgy accents – that lead to a sense of joy as the whole unfolds. Jason Durr brings us the dashing Colonel Mustard from the Deep South to a ‘t’, while Kara Alberts-Turner is delightfully icy as Mrs Peacock. Hannah Boyce’s scouse Miss Scarlett clearly has something to hide, and Edward Howells is deliciously silly as the hapless Professor Plum. Liam Horrigan’s Rick Black is wonderfully OTT, like Russell Brand on speed. Gabriel Paul brings us Reverend Green, with an obvious chip on his shoulder from the past. Jack Bennett’s Wadsworth has some great gags and uses his frame well to communicate his growing irritation.

However, the standout comedy has to be Dawn Buckland’s Mrs White. It has some super-sight gags that regularly pop out of nowhere with no-nonsense insight.

The whole thing is laugh-out-loud from start to finish, and refreshingly, none of the gags outstay their welcome. It may not win any awards for crime fiction, but it will send you away with a big smile.

Runs until July 27, 2024 and on tour