If you’ve been lucky enough to see ICSM Drama’s Clue! running from 26.02 to the 1.03, you’ll know that the question of “whodunnit?” plays second fiddle to what the characters have committed in their checkered pasts. Clue! is an adaptation of the boardgame (Cluedo) directed by Jake Daproza and Joseph de Laubenque that gives the classic colour-coded characters some extra depth with a dash of gore and the absurd.   

The set revels in the theatrical. The grand mansion is brilliantly and resourcefully materialised on stage with an operatic soundscape, thought-out and vibrant lighting that aptly made it feel like a 1950s technicolour movie, and set changes facilitated in full view by a team dressed as white-shirt waiters. What really stood out (literally) was the colour-pop of the stage itself (with a next-to glowing red and gold-panelled background) alongside the costuming of the characters – thank Al-Obaidi (Arts Director) and O’Connell (Tech Director) as well as the rest of the team for the effect. 

I also got to play understudy to ‘the motorist’ in Clue! just for the first night – and the dynamism of the characters was so clearly brought to life by the electric energy of the cast, on and off-stage. The amount of time and thought put into every single character by the actors, what makes them funny and what makes them different, was undeniable and very effective. The performances were both studied and hilarious – not an easy task – and the seemingly spontaneous ad-libs only added to the fun.  

Nag’s suave (and hilarious) Professor Plum. Briner’s Jesus-loving Miss Peacock. Gadiya and Jacob as the deadly Miss Scarlet and the stiff Colonel Mustard. Not to, of course, forget Parthak’s prim Mrs White and Chung as the awkward (and sniffly) Mr Green. Alongside some pretty convincing acting, the now classic accent changes and monologues of Zhou as the double-crossing Mr Wadsworth punctuate the play – acting as their butler for the evening, with an admirable number of fast-paced passages delivered brilliantly. 

Of course, as a victim myself, I cannot forget to mention the parts that helped build the play’s exciting atmosphere. Real standouts included Lakhanpal as the Cat who shone every time he was on stage, the charismatic and expressive cop duo of Shah and Satheeswaran, Niimura as the ditzy French maid Ivette and drama veterans Dela Cruz and Aowidah, who added real energy to the whole production. 

The charm of ICSM Drama lies most in how much fun the cast are having, and how much the audience can feel it. It’s the chance to relax into an entertaining show and see people genuinely enjoying the art of theatre. Come for the next production – because, unlike Mr Green in Mr Boddy’s mansion, its members’ expertise, care and experience are NOT to be sniffed at.