Clue: On Stage

Jonathan Lynn’s 1985 film Clue, based on the Hasbro boardgame Cluedo, has become a cult movie – and a favourite of Henry Lawson Theatre’s Rebecca Fletcher’s family. No wonder that she grabbed the opportunity to direct Sandy Rustin’s stage adaptation Clue: On. Stage, which is just as whacky – and busy – as the movie!

Clue is murder mystery with the added absurd elements of farce – crazy characters, silly situations, puns and pratfalls – all of which occurs, like the board game, in the many rooms of a big house. That means multiple doors, possibly multiple bodies and in this case multiple gumshoe detectives.

Like any farce that also means multiple direction and design challenges, all of which Fletcher has met with skilful management, creative imagination and a lot of joy.

Six characters have been invited to a dinner party in the remote, mysterious Boddy Mansion – but they have been instructed to come as the colourful characters of the board game: Miss Scarlet, Professor Plum, Mrs. White, Mr. Green, Mrs. Peacock and Colonel Mustard. They are met by Wadsworth, a creepy butler, Yvette a saucy French maid and a villainous cook – but no host! That’s because their host Mr Boddy is …  a body!

Who has killed him? With what? And why?

All six characters admit to having been blackmailed by the corpse, so accusations fly, trust evaporates and mayhem ensues! Moving walls, hidden passageways, locked doors and more corpses result in a pantomime of crazy chases and comical collisions.

Revolving rooms, opening and shutting doors and twelve actors chasing each other around the stage require planning, timing, much rehearsing – and loads of patience and good humour. Farce has to be fun for everyone – those entertaining and those entertained. And Rebecca Fletcher has achieved that difficult balance. Cast members report that they are “having a ball” – and the audience certainly are!

The stage crew may not agree! They have the task of revolving rooms set on wheels while actors are making their way through the done room to appear in another. And they do it multiple times! The continuity of the action, and the safety of the actors, are dependent on their timing and deftness. It’s a big responsibility and bouquets to those behind the scenes who move the scenes so smoothly.

Bouquets too to John Bell, Ken Fletcher, and Mike Rochfort who took on the task of constructing the set Fletcher had envisioned and the “countless weekdays” they gave up to do so.

And don’t think I’ve forgotten bouquets for the cast! Creating these crazy characters must have been fun; cavorting them around the stage, in and out of doors, along imaginary hallways, all the time taking care not to trip or topple, must have taken hours of rehearsal. But they have done it, will continue to do it for another weekend of performances – and seem to be having fun!

Alexander Smith is the arrogant Wadsworth, disdainfully greeting the guests and surreptitiously manipulating things. Smith uses his height and bearing to make Wadsworth haughty and condescending, establishing feelings of resentment and antipathy from each guest as they arrive.

Tayah Gulyas is Yvette, the pert maid who fluffs her feather duster flirtatiously. Holly-Leigh Prophet is the scary cook, cleaver in her hand, evil in her eyes. Both meet untimely ends, but materialise later, along with Mark Prophet and Brianna Grima, in an ever-increasing squad of dodgy detectives.

Heloise Tolar is an elegant Miss Scarlet. In clinging crimson, she is a little snooty and aloof, but warily watchful. Tolar has a strong stage presence and uses comic timing to fine effect.

Professor Plum in plush purple is played by Elliott Prophet. Prophet makes him worldly wise but wide awake to any murderous mischief.

Neridah James is Mrs White, she of the many demised husbands. In a silver-white wig shining above her white pearl-backed stole and black gown, James finds smirking evil in this character despite her avowals of innocence.

Mitchell Rist plays a bumbling Colonel Mustard. Lost in this stylish group and unable to follow the twists of the conversation, he delights the audience with his misunderstandings and mistakes.

Mrs Peacock, played by Nicole Smith preens in shades of cyan, turquoise and cerulean, making her presence felt in sharp remarks and quizzical queries.

Lesh Satchithananda in his theatrical debut as the slippery Mr Green, surprises the other guests – and the audience – with his bizarre behaviour and strange outbursts.

None of them is trustworthy. None of them is trusting. All of them are suspects. All of them are suspicious.

Put them together with a few corpses – two of them played by Aurel Vasilescu who spends a lot of time either lying on the floor or slumped in a chair! – some spooky music, a ready supply of weapons and a lot of energy and you have the makings of a farce. Making that farce work requires careful planning, clear direction, relentless rehearsal and tricky timing, and Fletcher and her cast are making it work well.

You have a few more chances to see that – IF there are any tickets left! Last weekend was a sell out, so be quick!

Carol Wimmer