Clue: On Stage - Darlington Theatre Players

Reviewed by Kate O'Sullivan

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Clue: On Stage at Marloo Theatre is a lively, ambitious theatre outing that leans confidently into the heightened absurdity of its source material. With a committed ensemble and interesting technical choices, the production captures much of the madcap energy audiences expect, and brims with tongue in cheek references to the original game.

Andreas D’Angelo’s Colonel Mustard strikes a pleasing balance, dense without tipping too far into caricature, while Liz Croft’s Mrs Peacock delights with southern charm. Jack Buckmaster’s Professor Plum is solid, though a sharper edge of arrogance would elevate the performance further.

Sarah McCabe’s Mrs White, who delivers deliciously dry, acerbic wit with perfectly judged “black widow” energy, and Helen Kerr’s Miss Scarlet, whose consistent vitality sustains the show’s pace. Tom Rankin’s Mr Green offers enjoyable physical comedy, though the performance loses some energy when the action slows. Clara Lee’s Yvette brings confidence and presence, though could benefit from leaning even further into the character’s flirtatious nature.

At the centre of the chaos is Wadsworth, played by Verity Lux, who anchors the action as the archetypal British butler. While Lux makes clear character choices, the performance occasionally feels too loose, sacrificing the butler-style restraint that allows the role’s precision-driven comedy to land. A tighter, more controlled approach would better serve the unraveling farce.

Across the ensemble, accent work is a clear focus, though consistency proves variable. Several performances begin with strong, well-defined vocal choices that soften or drift as the show progresses. At times, accents become less distinct or wander, and in some cases, particularly with thicker dialect choices, clarity is compromised. Sustaining these vocal choices with precision will help sharpen both character and comedic impact. Additionally, keeping the pacing high will help this show, as the chaos needs to devolve at a rate of knots.

Technically, the production is ambitious. Scene transitions, while conceptually strong, are hampered by spatial limitations backstage, resulting in some clunky pacing that may well tighten over the run. The space is also used well, although when the stage is clear of performers (due to clever use of the seating area), the audience is left watching the scene change, rather than having something to focus on. Lighting, too, aims high but occasionally leaves performers either underlit or just out of position. Props are cleverly integrated, though small inconsistencies - such as mismatched colours at times - distract more than they should.

Despite these growing pains, Clue: On Stage is an entertaining and spirited production, driven by a cast clearly relishing the comedy and "the game".

Reviewer Note: Kate has previously worked with a couple of members of this cast and crew. Tickets for this review were provided by the theatre company.