REVIEW: Cluedo 2 – The Next Chapter

Hot on the heels of classic murder-mystery show Cluedo in 2022 comes a splapstick sequel to the Birmingham stage.

Cluedo 2 – The Next Chapter is now playing at The Alexandra theatre in Birmingham.

Who would have thought that a board game designed by a Birmingham musician during World War II would go on to become a worldwide bestseller that would spawn radio, film, television and stage adaptations?

The latest incarnation provides a sequel which follows the tried-and-tested concept of a group of individuals meeting at a sprawling mansion where they have to work out who killed a member of the party. As the night progress the number of dead bodies begins to pile up in the old manor house.

The story is set in 1968 and is written by the legendary writing team of Maurice Gran and Laurence Marks who have provided classic sitcoms over the years such as Birds of a Feather, Shine on Harvey Moon, The New Statesman, and Goodnight Sweetheart.

Laughs are fired at machine gun pace, almost nonstop, and the comedy takes in everything from blackmail, snobbery, jealousy, class and social blunders, and to top it off the show also heaps on plenty of slapstick. Make no mistake, this is one heady mix.

The mystery element, which is so crucial to the show, begins to suffer under the weight of the repetitious jokes. The drama and suspense become somewhat diluted as the guests clash and bicker amongst themselves in a satirical tongue-in-cheek manner.

There are moments where the riotous comedy becomes so shouty and over-the-top that the noir aspects are buried under the avalanche and the production ends up resembling a pantomime.

Director Mark Bell should have wielded tighter control of the proceedings and put more focus on the drama and mystery stands and thus retained some balance which would have resulted in a more streamlined and thrilling experience.

Despite the show using a three-dimensional backdrop based on the design of the much-loved board game, the nostalgic atmosphere is lacking. Those hoping that the art department might conjure up some theatrical magic which invokes memories of the murder-mystery game will be left a little disappointed.

The sets are very sparse and paired back which is a pity because this is the kind of show that screams out for a gothic and decaying manor house filled with gloomy shadows, dark passages and creaky staircases.

Cluedo 2 – The Next Chapter proves to be an uneven and stilted show that is in urgent need of tweaking and fine-tuning.

Verdict: ★★

Cluedo 2 – The Next Chapter is now playing at The Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham until Saturday 27 July