ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Janet O’Reilly has wanted to direct “Clue” since it was first released in the early 1980s.
The problem was, the cult-classic, which she felt loaned itself well to the stage, was unavailable until the rights were released in 2017.
So what happened next?
“I went out right away once I heard they were available and secured the rights for Newfoundland and Labrador, the exclusive rights for here,’’ O’Reilly said.
“I even looked at writing something myself to do it, but I think that may have infringed on some law somewhere,’’ she chuckled.
“Clue: On Stage” is a play based on the classic board game “Clue” – but more directly, it is based on the 1985 movie version of “Clue” that has become a TV staple over the years and has developed a cult following.
While the play is based on the movie, the set design pays homage to the original game board design. Just seeing the set is worth the price of admission.
“Kirsty Mikoda redesigned the set to reflect the board game so that all the rooms were represented,’’ O’Reilly said, extolling the skills and vision of the Nothing On Productions set builder.
“All of the ideas came out of Kirsty’s head. She designed it based on the board game, made a paper element for each room and made real elements for those rooms. This heightens the gaminess of the set to make it playful.’’
Adapted from the screenplay by Jonathan Lynn, “Clue: On Stage” runs at the LSPU Hall Thursday, June 13 to Sunday, June 16, with all shows going at 8 p.m.
“Clue” is a comedy whodunit that keeps the audience guessing (and laughing), and contains mock violence and slight sexual innuendo.
But that is all part of what makes Nothing On Productions’ shows as popular as they have been.
“We have been lucky to have such a great cast for our shows. We have some new people, but four of us have been in all three,’’ actor Jill Kennedy said.
George Robertson, Chris Panting and Phil Goodridge are the others.
Rounding out the cast are Nichole Woodman, Maddy Mant, Michelle Lambert, Zac Hutton, Carrie Furey and Justin Peddle.
“Once you see the board, you will be transported into the film,” Kennedy said.
“It has a bit of an Agatha Christie element to it in addition to an old radio show vibe here, too. There will definitely be something for everybody.’’
Kennedy said familiarity of the cast members lends well to the production.
“We do farce, physical comedy, so you have to depend on your director to make sure nobody gets hit in the side of the head with anything,’’ Kennedy chuckled.
“With the four of us, we have chemistry, but the new people fell into step as well,’’ she added.
Helping to keep the vision together and adding her own touch is producer Katherine Elliott.
She said that, as with the previous shows it has completed, Nothing On Productions was “blessed to have so many great people audition and have to make choices from them.”
“We are also going to have local celebrities appear in each of the four performances as the singing telegram girl,’’ Elliott said.
“That person’s name will be released the morning of the show they will appear in. We have them all confirmed, but will wait to let people know so there is an element of surprise.’’
Tickets are available at the LSPU box office by calling 709-753-4531, ext. 200 or online at www.rca.nf.ca.
Definition
Clue is the classic detective game.
Players move from room to room in a mansion to solve the mystery of: who done it, with what, and where? Players are dealt character, weapon and location cards after the top card from each card type is secretly placed in the confidential file in the middle of the board.
The players must move to a room and then make an accusation against a character, saying they did it in that room with a specific weapon.
The player to the left must show one of any cards accused to the accuser if in that player's hand. Through deductive reasoning, each player must figure out which character, weapon and location are in the secret file.
To do this, each player must uncover what cards are in other players’ hands by making more and more accusations. Once a player knows what cards the other players are holding, he or she will know which cards are in the secret file.
