“Clue” − A Classic Board Game Transformed into a Hilarious Play

February 22nd – 24th, members of Springstead High School’s drama class, under the direction of Ms. Hillary Ure, presented the comedy “Clue.” Based on the board game of the same name, the play featured all the usual suspects − Mr. Green, Colonel Mustard, Mrs. Peacock, Professor Plum, Miss Scarlet, and Mrs. White. Adding to the cast of characters (not found in the game) were the butler, Wadsworth; the maid, Yvette; the master of the house, Mr. Boddy; and several other minor characters including a cook, a policeman, a police chief and a singing telegram girl.

One of the appealing features of the play is the backstory created for each of the major characters, as well as the set design and special effects. The play takes place in the 1950s during the McCarthy era in which many people were accused of being Communists and were blacklisted.

Each of the main characters has a secret which puts them in danger of being brought before the House Un-American Activities Committee and which makes them targets for a blackmailer. It also gives them a motive for murder.

The six individuals arrive at a mansion under assumed names, each one having been invited by the mysterious owner of the house. Each one has distinguishing characteristics that are brought out by the actors. Mrs. Peacock, portrayed by Payton Fisher, is the chic, yet nervous wife of a Senator.

Payton, remarked, “I decided to audition for the role because Mrs. Peacock is a little crazy and anxious and I’m the same way. I understand why she’s the way she is, so I thought the part would best fit me.”

Since this was her first major role, Payton found one of her challenges was learning the cues and when to come in. She overcame this challenge by practicing every day at home on her own and at school anytime she could find the time.

Santiago Pinkney plays Professor Plum, a womanizing intellectual. He has had many years of experience on the stage and plans to pursue a career in theatre. He loves playing the non-uplifting roles−the anti-hero. One of his favorite roles was Scrooge and one role that’s on his bucket list is the title character in “Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street.”

He chose to audition for the part of Professor Plum because, “he reminds me a lot of myself–observant, meticulous, quiet.”

Santiago added, “The most rewarding thing is seeing a group of people that come from different backgrounds move on one single wave. It shows the unity of humans.”

Colonel Mustard, portrayed by Thomas Mandelin, according to the stage notes is a “pompous, dense blowhard of a military man.” As even professional actors sometimes do, Thomas experienced some stage fright. “To get over it I stay focused on what’s on the stage rather than thinking about what the audience is doing,” Thomas stated.

The most rewarding thing for him was, “Being with the cast. There are a lot of really cool people and it’s fun hanging around them.”

The rest of the main characters were Miss Scarlet, whose name describes her shady background, played by Aayla Weiler. Juliana Rivera played Mrs. White, a wealthy and rather ditzy widow. Wadsworth, the butler, portrayed by Tristan Conway, has a pivotal role in the play and appears in almost every scene. You almost immediately deduce that he may not be who he seems to be. Luke Smith played the owner of the mansion, Mr. Boddy, who may or may not be the blackmailer.

The clever and imaginative special effects, not only made the play interesting, but also eliminated the need for a lot of sets. Since scenes changed quickly, the use of projections in the background, simulated the actors moving from one room of the house to the other. Some of the actors, along with the stage crew, changed the props in a blackout, so as not to distract the audience.

In a farcical play such as this, the best parts are the sometimes nonsensical dialogue, the physicality and the “hammy” over-acting. The dialogue often consists of word plays and misunderstood communication.

For example, Professor Plum says, “I work for WHO,” meaning the World Health Organization. One of the other characters asks, “Who do you work for?”, to which he responds, “Yes.” There follows a humorous exchange surrounding the mix-up of “Who” and “WHO.” It’s a lot funnier when you actually hear it from the actors.

The play’s satirical aspect comes through when Mr. Green states that he used to work in the private sector for people with delusions of grandeur, but now he works for the government. Another character states, “Oh. So your work hasn’t changed.”

Ms. Ure, who skillfully directed the actors and the stage crew, many of whom were novices, stated, “I love helping students recognize their potential in all areas.” She has a couple of favorite plays that she’s directed. One was “Anything Goes,” a musical and the other was “Rumors.”

“Because dance is a passion of mine, it [“Anything Goes”] was fun to choreograph and direct. I had a great cast and they made the experience worth it in so many ways. I love reaching the finished product and seeing every person in the cast and crew expand upon their abilities and do more than they ever thought possible,” Ms. Ure concluded.

High school drama class and participating in plays gives young people a chance to have fun, overcome inhibitions, learn discipline and experience working as a team. They can actually see the process come together into the finished product. It takes dedication and hard work and requires the students to sacrifice their free time. However, as evidenced in Springstead High School’s production of “Clue, the effort is worth it.