Cluedo. Louth Playgoers. Riverhead Theatre, Louth. 07 October 2025.

Louth Playgoers bring laughter, chaos, and a dash of murder mystery to the Riverhead Theatre with their latest production, Cluedo, which runs from 8–11 October. Adapted by Sandy Rustin, from Jonathan Lynn’s classic film screenplay and inspired by the iconic board game, the show delivered an evening brimming with farce, fast-paced humour, and unforgettable character performances.

At the heart of the production was Philip Marshall Junior as Wadsworth, the endlessly energetic butler. Marshall gave a tour-de-force performance, commanding the stage with sharp delivery, impeccable comic timing, and an athletic physicality that never waned. His ability to shift from suave host to panicked conspirator, while orchestrating the pandemonium around him, was a joy to watch. Marshall’s marathon of a performance—culminating in a whirlwind recap of the entire play—was nothing short of masterful.

Danielle Emmitt’s Miss Scarlett was the epitome of charm and cunning. With a razor-sharp wit, playful sultriness, and a knowing twinkle in her eye, Emmitt captured the audience’s attention whenever she stepped on stage. Her ability to balance sly confidence with moments of frantic humour gave her performance depth, ensuring Miss Scarlett was as engaging as she was entertaining.

As Mrs White, Amanda Hodges delivered a performance steeped in deliciously dry humour. Her deadpan expressions and acerbic one-liners landed with perfect precision, contrasting hilariously with the more frenetic characters around her. Hodges imbued Mrs White with a sinister edge, yet managed to keep her likeable, ensuring the audience never quite knew whether to trust her or laugh at her – or both.

Vicki Wright shone as the fluttery and flamboyant Mrs Peacock. Every gesture, wide-eyed look, and frantic line delivery was pitched perfectly to draw laughs. Wright clearly relished the role, embracing the character’s manic energy and nervous chatter, which became a highlight of the evening. Her comic exaggeration never tipped into caricature; instead, she built a fully-formed, delightfully eccentric personality that had the audience in stitches.

Jon Molson brought an endearing bombast to Colonel Mustard. With puffed-up bluster and an earnest foolishness, Molson played the character as a man entirely confident in his own abilities – while being utterly oblivious to his ineptitude. His physical comedy was a standout, and his interactions with the rest of the cast provided some of the night’s biggest laughs.

As Professor Plum, Kevin Campbell gave a sly, smooth performance. He captured the character’s combination of academic superiority and underlying sleaziness with great skill, adding just the right amount of smarm. Campbell’s nuanced delivery ensured that Plum was both ridiculous and oddly believable, and his interplay with the other guests revealed a knack for understated comedy.

Darren Melton rounded out the main suspects as Reverend Green, and his performance was a treat. Melton leaned into Green’s nervousness, creating a twitchy, jittery energy that contrasted beautifully with the confidence of characters like Miss Scarlett. His comic timing was spot-on, particularly in scenes where Green’s moral façade began to crumble under pressure, leaving the audience giggling at every flustered aside.

The supporting cast added to the hilarity with strong contributions: Ellie Johnson was a delight as Yvette, balancing comedic exaggeration with just enough glamour to keep the audience guessing; Ben Green swaggered convincingly as the slippery Mr Boddy; Heather Grant made a strong impression in her brief but memorable role as the Cook; and Jamie Harris as the hapless policeman, Bobby and Derek Smith as the poor, unsuspecting Motorist added further comic colour to the evening.

Directed with flair by Jamie Harris, with assistance from Derek Hodges, the production never lost momentum. Doors, props, and split-second timing were used to great effect, turning the Riverhead stage into a playground of chaos. The pacing was tight, the comic beats were well-judged, and the ensemble chemistry was palpable throughout.

The joy of Cluedo lies in its blend of slapstick, clever dialogue, and absurd mystery, and Louth Playgoers captured all of this with infectious energy. The cast’s commitment to their roles, combined with the slick direction, ensured an evening that kept the audience laughing loudly while still revelling in the classic whodunnit intrigue.

This Cluedo was a triumph – a smart, fast, and riotously funny production that showcased the best of local theatre. It was a treat for anyone who loves comedy, farce, or simply an evening of pure entertainment. You will need to move swiftly if you haven't got a ticket yet as there are only 30 tickets left over the whole run of the play. Contact the box office - details on the poster below.

Andy Evans 07 October 2025