Type: Murder Mystery, Comedy Caper
If you liked: Knives Out, Glass Onion, The Afterparty
CLUEDO the Play: If you thought comedy was dead, CLUEDO gives you hijinks and hilarity breaking out of a body bag
There is never a dull moment at Boddy Manor. Murder doesn’t just happen; it happens between breakout dance sequences and wacky chase scenes all wrapped in perfect comedic timing. This is a brilliantly balanced ensemble cast in a classic whodunnit murder mystery, brimming with physical comedy in this large scale stage adaptation of the classic game, CLUEDO.
The zany mood was set from the start. We were introduced to the shrill maid Yvette (Lib Campbell) and the not-to-be-messed-with Cook (Octavia Barron-Martin), both oozing a not-so-subtle type of charm. Enter the butler, Wadsworth (Grant Piro), our guide for the evening; a commanding, enigmatic presence who seems to know all but gives nothing away. And one by one the main players enter the game. Over-the-top characters, such as the suave Professor Plum (David James), the captivating Miss Scarlet (Olivia Deeble), the sophisticated Mrs. White (Rachael Beck), the nervy Reverend Green (Laurence Boxhall), the uppity Mrs. Peacock (Genevieve Lemon), and the bewildered Colonel Mustard (Adam Murphy). Before long, the unravelling begins.
Each cast member shone, capturing the essence of their character perfectly, particularly Piro as Wadsworth and Boxhall as Reverend Green, using every word and gesture to maximum affect. These larger-than-life characters are brought together on one fatal evening. Brought undone by suspicion, they each have their own quirks and secrets to hide.
The dynamic set by James Browne is not just a backdrop to the piece; it superbly underpins the twists and turns this farcical comedy takes. Effortlessly moving us through the famous rooms of the board game it’s based on – the kitchen, the study, the library, the lounge – we see the body count rise, the capers continue and the laughs never stop coming.
Lighting by Jasmine Rizk and music by Sean Peter are equally valuable in defining the mood, amplifying the absurdity and seamlessly taking us from mystery to mayhem. Delivery throughout CLUEDO was consistently on point, and the audience were clearly hooked. The oohs and aahs and raucous laughter flowed, elevating the already high energy in the theatre.
No door was left unchecked as each of our players all tried to save themselves from becoming the next victim in this whodunnit; the mania escalates and the performances never miss a beat. It is conspiracy cloaked in chaos, and Wadsworth’s final roundup of this crazy crime spree is a spectacular show in itself.
Is CLUEDO the Play Worth Seeing in Sydney?
CLUEDO the Play is for everyone. Even if you missed the family bonding sessions around the CLUEDO board game (ahem, me), you’re likely to be familiar with the premise, the rooms and even the murder weapons, so etched are they into our culture.
If you’re up for an evening of not so serious silliness, this is it. A fast paced, madcap mystery that is exceptionally entertaining from start to end. You don’t have to be a CLUEDO aficionado to enjoy this clamorous comedy caper.
Tickets and Practical Info for Cluedo in Sydney 🎟️
Theatre Royal Sydney
108 King St SydneySeason: 16th April – 10th May 2026
Tickets: https://www.theatreroyalsydney.com/events/season-2026/cluedo/
Cluedo the Play
Based on the screenplay by Jonathan Lynn
Additional material by Hunter Foster and Eric Price
Based on the Paramount Pictures Motion Picture
Based on the Hasbro board game CLUE
Creatives
Writer – Sandy Rustin
Director – Luke Joslin
Set & Costume Design – James Browne
Composer & Sound Design – Sean Peter
Lighting Design – Jasmine Rizk
Movement Director – Danielle Evrat
Production Manager – Alex Duffy
Cast
Octavia Barron-Martin
Rachael Beck
Laurence Boxhall
Lib Campbell
Olivia Deeble
David James
Nat Jobe
Genevieve Lemon
Joshua Monaghan
Adam Murphy
Grant Piro
