‘Clue’ at the National Theatre is a Capital Caper!

A mansion. A murder. A mystery. Clue, the beloved whodunit now stalking the stage as part of Broadway at the National, brings to Washington its brisk, brainy blast of theatrical fun.

Set inside the shadowy splendor of Boddy Manor, the story assembles six suspicious guests for an evening of secrets, scandal, and — inevitably — slaughter. Blackmail simmers, alliances shift, and weapons appear with alarming regularity. Was it Mrs. Peacock in the study with the knife? Or Colonel Mustard in the library with the wrench? The plot zips along… always one step ahead of your suspicions.

What makes Clue click is its commitment to comedy without condescension. Based on the 1985 Paramount Pictures cult classic and inspired by the Hasbro board game, the production doesn’t lean on nostalgia alone. Instead, it layers slapstick with smart pacing, crisp cues, and a self-aware sensibility that invites the audience in on the joke. You don’t need to know your candlestick from your conservatory to enjoy the ride, but it helps if you like your laughs delivered with a dash of derring-do.

The National Theatre proves a fitting venue for this stylish send-up. The production design smartly toggles between grandeur and gimmick, using the mansion’s many rooms as both setting and punchline. Doors open, secrets spill, and the choreography of chaos feels meticulously mapped. It’s a reminder that farce, when done well, is less about noise and more about nuance.

There’s also something refreshing about the show’s structure. At a tight 80 minutes with no intermission, Clue respects the audience’s time (a small mercy in a city that runs on schedules and subcommittees). The pace never flags, the jokes rarely miss, and the final twist lands with a satisfying snap.

This isn’t theatre that begs you to buy a board game on the way out, nor does it strain for spectacle. Instead, Clue offers clever comfort: a cozy mystery with a capital twist, tailor-made for a winter night when you want to laugh, lean in, and play along.

Clue will play The National through February 1 only. Tickets and information: BroadwayAtTheNational.com. And here’s a PRO TIP: You can save 25% off tickets with code WHITE* for the Wednesday/Thursday/Friday and Sunday evening performances. Enter the code before selecting your seats by clicking the “unlock” button on the Ticketmaster page.*Select seats. Restrictions apply. Not valid in premium seating.