Evan Zimmerman
Clue: On Stage
The Company of the North American tour of CLUE
While Clue first became a major part of our cultural lexicon as a whodunit board game in the 1950s, for many a cinephile and Tim Curry fan, it’s the 1985 film that remains dearer to our hearts.
Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t dare turn down an opportunity to play the game with a half-dozen people keen on witty banter, but when one mentions Clue, I’m prone to think of Madeline Kahn as Mrs. White talking about “flames on the side of [her] face.”
For those in a similar boat, you’ll be happy to hear that “Clue” is a faithful live theater adaptation of the film, complete with raucous physical comedy, twists of a classic whodunit, and hilarious word play with a healthy dose of double entendres. If I was writing for a DVD cover or theater poster, I’d say it’s a “rip-roaring good time.”
The plot, for those who haven’t seen the film, centers around six strangers — I’m hoping your general Clue knowledge excuses me from having to write each of their names — invited to attend a dinner party hosted by Mr. Boddy, a man who’s black mailing each of them. Mr. Boddy’s butler, Wadsworth, and maid, Yvette, get caught in the middle of the kerfuffle and someone, we don’t know who, kills Mr. Boddy. Of course, each dinner guest has a motive, and hilarity and hijinks ensue. It’s the sort of old-fashioned comedy Hollywood used to pump out in spades.
Interestingly, I wouldn’t say the movie, despite taking place in a single house, is an obvious choice for a theater adaptation. The action takes place in nine different rooms from which the characters move in and out like a game of musical chairs. But the production’s fix to this obvious problem is pure brilliance: have the cast run in place while the set changes in the background. The result elicited a number of laughs from the audience and sticks to the comedic spirit of the film.
The play also throws in its fair share of contemporary jokes and homages to the classic board game — “Who built this house?” Colonel Mustard asks. “The Parker Brothers,” answers Mr. Wadsworth. And perhaps the most obvious difference is the more bombastic performances that naturally come with live theater. The actors don’t revel in nuances — everything is dialed up a few notches as though they were holding up “laugh” signs when they wish you to do so. But, again, that comes with the territory.
Ultimately, the play, which is a breezy 90 minutes with no intermission, is hilariously performed and one heck of a good time. While those who managed to catch Les Misérable last week you could get whiplash from change of tone, we highly recommend checking it out.
“Clue” will be performing at Bass Performance Hall through this Sunday, March 30, with matinee showings Saturday and Sunday. For tickets, visit the Bass Hall website.
