Try to work out whodunnit as Grantham Dramatic Society brings ‘Clue’ to the Guildhall stage in Grantham

The next production by a Grantham theatre group brings a popular family board game to life.

Grantham Dramatic Society (GDS) will put on ‘Clue’, based on the cult 1985 film, at the Guildhall Arts Centre for four nights from Wednesday, June 7.

Unlike the game Cluedo, there will be more than one murder for Plum, White, Green, Scarlett, Peacock and Mustard to solve, and the audience will be asked the question: who did it, where and with what?

This brand new play is a hilariously madcap whodunnit, set in 1950s America when fears about communism and ‘reds under the bed’ were rife.

Six strangers are brought to a mysterious country mansion near Washington DC, where they find out that they each have a dark secret in common.

‘Clue’ takes the playing pieces from Cluedo – Mrs White, Mrs Peacock, Miss Scarlet, Colonel Mustard, Professor Plum and Mr Green - plus the butler and staff, and turns them into a selection of comic characters whose stories are mysteriously intertwined.

Once the collection of murder weapons appear, the body count begins to rise.

The original 1985 film starred an unforgettable cast including Tim Curry and Christopher Lloyd, and spawned iconic lines that fans will spot reappearing in the stage version.

In the film, famously there were three different endings which cinema audiences would be shown at random. In the play, classic scenes are recreated, but a revised ending will keep even avid fans guessing until the last moment.

GDS director Mark Brown said: “Many of us in GDS are huge fans of the original film, and have been looking forward to putting on a stage version for years. It’s finally become available to groups like us, and we can’t wait to share what we’ve produced.

“We love bringing completely new shows to the stage in Grantham whenever we can, so we’re delighted to be among the first groups to perform this play; we believe this is at least the East Midlands premiere.

“The cast are working hard in the final stages of rehearsals to make this a night to remember, and we’re making them race around all corners of the stage recreating the madcap plot. It’s a full workout!

“Everyone involved in the production has such a passion for this, and we hope audiences will turn out in droves to see this unique play, and take up the challenge of working out whodunnit.”

Alongside Mark, Clue is directed by Jo Toomey and Nicki McKay.

‘Clue’ was originally written by John Landis (who directed films such as ‘Coming to America’ and ‘Blues Brothers’) and Jonathan Lynn (British actor, writer and director, who wrote and directed classic sitcom ‘Yes, Minister’), and the stage version is by Sandy Rustin (actor and writer with dozens of TV, film and theatre credits).

‘Clue’ will run at the Guildhall Arts Centre from June 7-10, with curtain up at 7.30pm nightly.

To buy tickets, at £12 (£10 concessions or groups of six or more), visit www.guildhallartscentre.com/whats-on, email box1@southkesteven.gov.uk, call 01476 406158 or drop into the box office on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10am-2pm.

GDS encourages people of all backgrounds who are interested in theatre and making new friends to get in touch via www.granthamdramaticsociety.co.uk or info@granthamdramaticsociety.co.uk, or via the group’s Facebook page at @GDS.Amdram