A dinner party, a murder, and a mystery to solve.
Students at Thomas Haney Secondary School are putting on the comedic play Clue: On Stage.
Based on the 1985 Paramount movie, which, in turn, was inspired by the Hasbro board game, the story follows six mysterious guests who arrive at a remote mansion for an unusual dinner party. When their host turns up dead, everybody is a suspect.
The butler, Wadsworth, and dinner party guests: Miss Scarlett, Professor Plum, Mrs. White, Mr. Green, Mrs. Peacock, and Colonel Mustard race to find the killer as bodies start piling up.
About 45-50 students have been working on show from Grades 9 through to 12.
Rehearsals started in September.
Grade 10 student Danica Bouey, playing the role of Ms. Scarlet, said her favourite part of the production is connecting with people and having a fun time.
“This show is such a fun campy production, everyone has put so much into it, it’s suspenseful and has lots of surprises,” said Bouey.
Ms. Scarlet runs her own “business” and is a very powerful and strong woman – a character Bouey enjoys the challenge of playing.
Although, she said, she is not used to so many complicated lines. However, Bouey noted, it’s something she has had to get used to.
“Now I know it, it’s muscle memory,” she said.
The role of Wadsworth is being played by Joey Buonafede.
“I think my favorite part is interacting with the cast and learning things as a team,” noted the Grade 12 student, who has put a lot of work and practice into building the character of the mysterious butler.
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“Anyone who sees the show will have a good time, we had a fun time creating the mysteries and suspense of it,” he said.
Student director Svea Silver described how they worked with everyone in the cast on character work building a scene.
“I have given them my own assignments to do to help build character,” said Silver, to help the cast advance the scenes and give them more depth with some funny quirks.
The Grade 12 director said the cast and crew have worked tirelessly on the production – “with ‘literal’ blood sweat and tears.”
“I’m so proud of my actors, they rolled with the punches and all the things that we have worked through together,” said Silver, who has been with Sightline Theatre Company since Grade 8.
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“I’ve always thought about who’s going to take over when I’m gone, I’m confident in the people that I’m leaving it with, these people are the future of the Thomas Haney theatre,” said Silver.
Teacher and director Rhondalee Brema was a great guide, added Silver, letting Silver to take creative control.
“I would not be the person I am today without her she helps me so many ways as an actor and a director and a person,” continued Silver.
Clue: On Stage runs Feb. 22, 23, 28, 29, and March 1, starting at 7 p.m., doors open at 6:30 p.m., and a 2 p.m. matinee, doors open at 1:30 p.m., on Feb. 24 at Thomas Haney Secondary, 23000 116 Ave, Maple Ridge.
Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased at the Thomas Haney School office or by emailing thsssightlinetheatre@gmail.com.