Zenith Theatre Company 
Poole High School Theatre, Poole 
Steve O’Neill 
13 July 2024
Based on the world famous board game Cluedo, Clue is a black comedy inspired by the American version of that game. It was originally a film released in 1985 and then adapted for stage in 2017.
Set in 1954 McArthy era USA, six strangers are invited to a creepy mansion where they are greeted by Wadsworth the butler and Yvette the French maid. The strangers all have connections to the government, and all are being blackmailed.
This is a very funny play, fast paced and full of word play that needs to be really slick. As the action takes place within the various rooms of a large mansion it also requires a really clever set. This set was simple but innovative. There was a large projection screen that was used throughout to supplement the action and to help move locations: the study, library, billiard room etc.
This is an incredibly difficult play to set for professional companies, all the more so for amateurs. It’s made no easier by the licensors who only provide scripts 60 days before the production date. That is a pretty challenging timeframe for an amateur company. Nevertheless, Zenith made a valiant effort.
The cast did a great job of bringing their eccentric characters to life. The play moved along at a nice pace. Some of the word play got a little lost at times.
There were standout characters for me, though. Yvette (Susie Clifton) was brilliantly French maidy, right up until her unfortunate demise at the end of a rope, but the highlight of the night has to go to Wadsworth the butler (Joe Thomas). He managed to keep the show sprinting along throughout. His madcap recapitulation of the entire night’s events as we reached the denouement (or is that denouements?) was hilarious and inspired, as was his eventual dying performance at the hands of Mr Green, which I have to say was some of the best visual comedy I have seen in a long time.
My congratulations go out to the cast, crew and directors of this fabulous play. With their great enthusiasm and innovation, they managed to pull off what has to be one of the most challenging plays currently on the circuit.
