Review: CLUE, Ensemble Arts Philly - North American Tour
Photo credit: Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade
Seeing Clue on stage feels like spending the night with an old friend who somehow keeps getting funnier every time you hang out! If you love quick comedy, clever staging, and a good whodunnit wrapped in playful chaos, this show absolutely delivers. From the moment the doors of Boddy Manor “open,” the pacing is brisk, the jokes land consistently, and the audience is fully invited into the mystery. It captures the spirit of the beloved board game and cult-classic film while still feeling fresh, theatrical, and wonderfully alive. You leave the theatre smiling, energised, and already replaying your favourite moments.
The cast lean into the iconic characters with confidence, strong physical comedy, and clear character choices that make it easy to follow the fast-moving action. The true standout of the evening, however, is Adam Brett as Wadsworth, the butler. He does a stellar job revising the role and shaping it into something uniquely his own, which is no small feat when the character is so famously associated with Tim Curry. Rather than leaning into imitation, Adam brings his own rhythm, physicality, and comedic timing, creating a fresh interpretation that confidently stands on its own. His performance anchors the entire production, driving the story forward with precision and infectious energy while juggling rapid dialogue, complex movement, and non-stop comic beats.
From a technical standpoint, the production shines as a beautifully coordinated machine. The set design transforms the stage into a playful version of a grand mansion, cleverly suggesting multiple rooms (the library, kitchen, and billiard room) without slowing down the momentum of the story. Scene shifts feel fluid and intentional, allowing the farce-style pacing to remain tight and engaging. The lighting design enhances the atmosphere with flashes of lightning, shadowy corners, and crisp transitions that help establish location, suspense, and comedic emphasis. The sound design further supports the storytelling with thunderclaps, door slams, footsteps, and well-timed effects that amplify both the mystery and the humour without overpowering the actors.
Costumes add another joyful layer of storytelling, instantly communicating each character’s personality through bold colours, exaggerated details, and classic silhouettes. These visual cues help the audience track characters quickly during moments of overlapping dialogue and physical movement, which is essential in a fast-paced comedy like this. All of the technical elements work seamlessly together to support the performers and keep the production running at a lively pace (roughly a tight 90 minutes with no intermission) making it an easy, high-energy night at the theatre.
Clue is the kind of show you can’t wait to tell your friends about. It’s lighthearted, smart, visually engaging, and packed with genuine laugh-out-loud moments. Between the polished technical execution and standout performances (especially Adam Brett’s confident and original take on Wadsworth), the production feels like the perfect blend of nostalgia and fresh theatrical fun. It’s a joyful reminder that live theatre can be playful, surprising, and endlessly entertaining, especially when shared with people you love.
Nostalgic and clever.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Jamie Flowers