Reviewed by Matt Forrest

Opening Night verdict ⭐⭐⭐

Following the huge success of Cluedo (stage play), writers Maurice Gran and Laurence Marks have followed it up with the rather aptly named Cluedo 2, which hopefully will contain more mayhem, more murders, as well as some laughs.

This time around the action takes place in the ‘Swinging Sixties’, at the country estate of fading rockstar, Rick Black (Liam Horrigan), as he is about to offer an exclusive first airing of his latest album. In attendance are Black’s shady American manager Colonel Mustard (Jason Durr), Black’s wife, the scheming socialite Mrs Peacock (Hannah Boyce) and Black’s friend and tech expert, Professor Plumb (Edward Howells).

In addition, there is the seemingly ever-present housekeeper, Mrs White (Dawn Buckland) and interior designer, Miss Scarlett, (Ellie Leach), who has been brought in to give the crumbling manor house a bit of a makeover. Later they are joined by Wadsworth (Jack Bennett), a jobbing actor typecast as a butler, and finally the Reverend Green (Gabriel Paul), a friend and musical collaborator of Rick Black.

As more guests arrive, the body count increases, and soon everybody becomes a suspect. Everyone has a motive, and everyone has the means, but will they all survive long enough to catch the killer?

Cluedo 2, is very much a mixed bag, it does a great job of introducing all the familiar tropes associated with the boardgame: each of the characters are given a fresh take, subverting expectation, but still present are the classic murder weapons and rooms within the manor house.

Writers Gran and Mark’s script is fun throughout but doesn’t always deliver the big laughs that it needs. There are no wasted lines, and every bit of dialogue could be a clue, so be sure to pay attention! I expected more bite from the team behind one of my favourite sitcoms, The New Statesman. Director Mark Bell, arguably best known for directing The Play That Goes Wrong has tried to incorporate what worked so well on the Mischief Theatre smash hit into Cluedo 2, with again, mixed results: there are elements of farce, quick gags, and physical comedy which work well, you just wish there was more of it.

What this production does have is several strong performances. Dawn Buckland steals nearly every scene as the no nonsense Mrs White, she has the lion’s share of the best lines, and she delivers them with exceptional comic timing. Equally impressive is Jack Bennett as the former butler-turned actor, now playing a butler, Wadsworth. It’s a great comedic turn full of energy, which demands your attention throughout.

There are strong performances from Liam Horrigan as Rick Black as well as several other characters (no spoilers) who fully invest into the silliness you expect from the show. Hannah Boyce is in fine form as the mean, selfish Mrs Peacock.

The big draws for the productions are former Heartbeat star Jason Durr, who goes OTT as the big Texas music manager Colonel Mustard; it’s a performance as absurd as it is enjoyable. Whilst former Coronation Street and 2023 Strictly Come Dancing winner, Ellie Leach makes a fine stage debut as Miss Scarlett.

Whilst never hitting the big laughs, there are enough gags and comedic set-pieces to keep you entertained for the two-hour running time, and despite a slow start, the pace quickens as soon as the body count rises, leading to a suitably absurd and thoroughly satisfying conclusion.

Cluedo 2 is at the Lowry till 6th April. Tickets available here.