Clue on Stage

I came away from Friday night’s performance of Clue on Stage at Ballina Players Theatre with mixed emotions. I was elated at having seen a really funny piece of theatre. But I was also struck with an immense feeling of pride. This cast and crew have had to overcome so many hurdles to get to Opening Night. Covid, the loss of homes, livelihoods and loved ones. I know these folk. Many of them intimately. I know their struggles. And yet they banded together to provide entertainment for us, the audience.

And how they entertained us!

From a wickedly funny script, and under the brilliant guidance of the directorial team of Fran Legge, Liz van Eck and Candace Baldwin, each actor gave us characters with depth, nuance and outrageous humour. There were some wonderfully executed sequences where timing was the essence, and the timing was spot on. The lighting plot was well conceived and the sound effects were very effective. The minimalist set was very attractive and afforded the actors room to occupy the stage. As they should.

Thank you Ballina Players for continuing to provide regional theatre at its best. And thank you to Candace, Alex, Warwick, Lee, Carly, Gray, Brook, Brian, Danyon and Toni for making me laugh the hardest in months.

Graham Whittingham