The world’s favourite murder mystery board game is coming to life in a new stage play at Theatre Royal, and it’s laugh-out-loud funny.
Sydney’s serving up plenty of hilarious nights out right now thanks to the Sydney Comedy Festival, but if you’re after something a little different, Cluedo The Play is here to deliver you the laughs. Board game fan or not, this could be your perfect night out.
Based on the beloved 1985 Paramount Pictures movie, Clue, and inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, Cluedo, Cluedo The Play is a brand-new whodunnit that keeps the audience guessing until the final twist.
A sneak peek at Cluedo The Play
We attended the special media preview ahead of their Sydney premiere and watched two scenes. First, the moment all the guests arrive at Boddy Manor and gather in the dining room, beginning to piece together how they’re connected and why they’ve been brought there.
For fans of the board game, there’s real joy in seeing these characters brought to life on stage, each one exactly as you’d imagined.
Colonel Mustard, played by Adam Murphy, is perpetually two steps behind, with his physical comedy and delusional insistence on being a distinguished “colonel” delivering some of the show’s biggest laughs. He’s also rocking the exact moustache I’d expect Colonel Mustard to have.
He tells us, “My character is very bombastic and loud… a military man… but he’s actually two beats behind everyone else. He’s a bit simple.”
Mrs Peacock, played by Genevieve Lemon, steals attention in a bright turquoise dress, her highly expressive reactions adding to the comedy. In contrast, Mrs White (portrayed by Rachael Beck) is more composed and proper, all sharp tailoring and pearls. Professor Plum (David James) is pompous and arrogant in an iconic purple suit.
Miss Scarlett, played by Olivia Deeble, oozes sultry confidence in red, firing off sharp, wry one-liners. Meanwhile, the bumbling, accident-prone Reverend Green (brought to life by Laurence Boxhall) is in a near-constant state of panic, jumping at every sound.
By the next scene, once a body has been discovered and everything starts to unravel, that same jittery energy spreads to the entire cast, turning the chaos into something genuinely hilarious. The chemistry is spot-on, with each performer playing off the others to maximum effect, while the dialogue crackles with quick, sharp wittted way.
At the end of the scene, the characters pair off and go to investigate the manor. We get a snippet of some funky dance and movement before the characters dart off the stage, though Reverend Green is left as all the doors slam in his face. Boxhall perfects the slapstick humour, especially when a door shuts right in his face. It’s playful, fast-paced, and adds a touch of musicality to the comedy.
Beck tells us that movement is a huge part of the show, stating, “All the physicality is very precise… It’s actually very, very physical this show.”
A closer look at the Cluedo cast
The show boasts a standout cast, led by Home and Away star Olivia Deeble as Miss Scarlett, alongside stage and screen powerhouse Rachael Beck, best known for playing Belle opposite Hugh Jackman in the original Beauty and the Beast.
Laurence Boxhall (who appears in Robbie Williams’ biopic Better Man) steps into the role of Reverend Green. Professor Plum is played by David James, whose career spans some of the country’s most respected companies, including Sydney Theatre Company, Bell Shakespeare and Queensland Theatre.
Mrs Peacock is brought to life by the brilliant Genevieve Lemon, whose career spans more than four decades and countless major Australian productions.
Meanwhile, Adam Murphy takes on Colonel Mustard, with standout credits including Jafar in Aladdin for Disney Theatrical Productions and Aldolpho in The Drowsy Chaperone for Melbourne Theatre Company.
Grant Piro, who got his start in the soap opera Sons and Daughters and has since appeared in more than 100 productions, plays the mysterious butler, Wadsworth.
Why you should see Cluedo The Play
Cluedo The Play is equal parts nostalgic and hilarious, whether it’s the rapid-fire one-liners or the brilliantly timed physical comedy, it’s an all-round good time. It’s also family-friendly but appeals to the young and the old, particularly for those who grew up playing the characters in the board game.
Adam Murphy tells us, “It’s just full of silliness and fun. It is a murder mystery, but there are so many great actors on that stage doing some really great things, and it’s very energetic.”
Genieve Lemon adds, “If you’re sick of koalas, you should come and see Cluedo! It’s just a very funny break from everything.”
She also adds that this show is “a completely Australian show with new designs, new clothing, new sets, new direction. Everything’s brand new about this season.” With so many shows on Australian stages imported from overseas, the fact that this one is homegrown makes it all the more compelling to see.
This sentiment is shared by Rachael Beck, who says the show is “a wonderful example of the quality of actor and artist that there is in Australia… Travellers will go, ok, Australia is definitely on the world stage, for sure.”
Cluedo The Play
Where: Theatre Royal, 108 King St, Sydney NSW 2000.
When: Opens April 16 until May 10, 2026.
Price: Tickets from $69.90.
Book your tickets here
