The cast of ‘Clue,’ which will be performed this week at the Empress Theatre.
Was it Miss Scarlett in the library with the candlestick?
Colonel Mustard in the conservatory with a revolver?
Come to the Empress Theatre to find out.
From Nov. 6-9, the Empress Theatre is presenting the play Clue: On Stage.
This “killer” slapstick comedy is full of murderous mayhem that will leave audiences guessing (and howling) until the very end.
Based on the iconic 1985 Paramount movie that was inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, Clue begins at a remote mansion, Boddy Manor, where six mysterious guests assemble for an unusual dinner party.
Murder and blackmail are on the menu, and when their host turns up dead, they all become suspects.
Maren Coates, the show’s director, also directed the Empress Theatre’s spring musical, The Music Man.
Coates describes Clue: On Stage as “a cheeky whodunnit with a lot of flavour.”
The play’s narrative is filled with twists, turns, and unexpected revelations.
“Clue: On Stage is an absolute genius of a script,” Coates said. “I remember falling hard for the film and persuading my instructors at an Empress summer theatre camp to let us do a murder mystery. I was tickled pink when I was cast as the butler.”
Each character is a larger than life persona that will instantly resonate with anyone familiar with the game, or the movie, Coates said.
“Picture Mrs. Peacock, Colonel Mustard, Professor Plum, and the rest of the colorful cast navigating through comedic misunderstandings with its fast-paced dialogue, unexpected twists, and witty one- liners,” Coates said.
Clue has only 11 cast members, and each one described by Maren as “unbelievable.”
“I can confidently state that this is the most experienced cast I’ve ever worked with,” Coates said. “I’m very proud to say that half of our cast are from right here in Fort Macleod, plus four others from Lethbridge. One marvelous actor is from Cardston, and another is flying here from Louisiana specifically because Clue: On Stage was on his bucket list and he wanted to perform at the Empress Theatre.”
“This ensemble is a force to be reckoned with.”
Audiences will experience a bit of everything during this comedic mystery.
“We’ve got puns, physical comedy, suspense, one-liners, stylized movement, atmospheric music . . . the list goes on,” Coatees said. “We’ve worked hard on our stage tension to make the humour shine all the brighter. Be ready to be surprised.”
Performances begin at 7 p.m., with a matinée performance on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 1 p.m.
The show contains sexual innuendo and mild comedic violence. The recommended age for audiences is 12 years and over.
Strobe lights are used once during the performance.
Tickets to Clue: On Stage are available at www.macleodempress.com or by calling 403-553-4404.
