A winning cast . . . in the Grand Theatre . . . with the candlestick. (And the dagger, the revolver, the lead pipe, the wrench and the rope).
That’s right: The Grand Theatre, in partnership with the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, is presenting Clue, a play that brings the campy fun of the classic board game and 1985 cult film to a rollicking, rousing and uproarious stage production. The show boasts a script by Sandy Rustin, with additional material from Hunter Foster and Eric Price, and is based on Jonathan Lynn’s screenplay. And this rendition of Clue features original music by Michael Holland and is tightly directed by Dennis Garnhum to mine every comedic possibility from the show’s premise.
Set in1954 amidst the paranoia of McCarthyism, the story unfolds as six guests, each harbouring their own dark secret, are lured to a remote mansion under mysterious circumstances. They find themselves embroiled in a deadly game of blackmail and murder when their host, Mr Boddy (Alex Furber), presents each of them with one of the game’s six notorious weapons from the game and a diabolical choice. What follows is a whirlwind of slapstick comedy, suspenseful mystery, room-to-room movement – and a plethora of puns – as they seek to uncover the killer among them.
Speaking of puns, the captivating ensemble cast simply slays. As the six guests, who correspond to the colour-based roles from the board game, it includes Sharon Bajer as Mrs. Peacock, Petrina Bromley as Mrs. White, Beau Dixon as Colonel Mustard, Toby Hughes as Mr. Green, Reena Jolly as Miss Scarlet, and Derek Scott as Professor Plum. In additional roles, the cast features Rosie Callaghan, Kamal Chioua, Tracy Penner, and Rosalie Tremblay. Finally, Jesse Gervais’ astute butler Wadsworth provides both a comedic backbone and a plot spine for the rapidly escalating onstage hijinx. His ability to transition among officious stuffiness, acerbic commentary, satirical farce – and a healthy dose of fourth-wall-breaking asides – is delightful and frequently hilarious.
And the production’s stunning visual and technical elements, under the creative direction of Dennis Garnhum and with contributions from set and costume designer Brian Perchaluk and lighting designer Kevin Lamotte, bring the mysterious two-storey mansion setting to amazing life. The play opens with a gasp-inducing tour through the iconic rooms of the board game: hall, study, ballroom, billiards room, dining room, kitchen, lounge, conservatory and library. The set, which spins to allow the characters to enter additional rooms, is a marvel of moving walls and secret passages that captures the essence of the board game’s dynamic of moving back and forth between rooms. Meanwhile, the colour-coded period costumes and strategic lighting amplify each character’s distinctiveness and the atmospheric tension.
Directed with an eye for both the farcical and the suspenseful, Clue maintains a brisk pace, keeping the audience on its toes, eagerly anticipating the next twist, turn or physical gag – of which there are many. The actors’ exaggerated, stylized movements and speech align seamlessly with the source material’s campy, over-the-top nature, making for a laugh-out-loud, never-dull theatrical experience for all ages. And the final scene is a marvel of frenzied ensemble acting that simply must be seen to be believed.
Even for those who have never played the game, Clue offers 90 minutes of fast-paced, laugh-a-minute entertainment. And for those who have, this production offers an especially fun take on a beloved classic that blends nostalgia, mystery and comedy into something new. The production’s extension into the Easter long weekend means that more families can enjoy the show’s dynamic performances, stunning set design . . . and great murder weapons.
Clue continues at the Grand Theatre until March 31, 2024. Click here to reserve tickets.
© Arpita Ghosal, SesayArts Magazine, 2024
