Find out ‘whodunit’ in new play The Game’s Afoot
The Game’s Afoot is a murder mystery being performed in the Ted Paul Theatre of the Earley Center for Performing Arts from Feb. 16 to Feb. 26.
Premiering in 2011, this farcical “whodunit,” written by Ken Ludwig, is set in December of 1936 and follows the events that unfold at William Gillette’s house party. Gillette, who is an actor best known for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes, gets shot during a performance and invites his cast, along with some others, to his home in an attempt to discover who is responsible.
When one of his guests is killed, it is up to Gillette to don his deerstalker and find out who the murderer is before they strike again. The twists and turns this show provides will keep audiences guessing until the very end!
Claire Clauson, who plays Aggie Wheeler, and Mikhayla Clausen, who plays Martha Gillette, have both greatly enjoyed taking on this high-energy comedy. Since the play is set in the 1930s, greetings and manners aren’t the same, many common objects today were new or didn’t exist yet, and the world was in a very different place. This seems to be a welcome challenge for the cast.
“The best thing about period plays is the nostalgia that comes along with it. There are stronger interpersonal relationships in the show because people had to really talk to each other in the 1930s,” Clauson said.
Clausen gets the added bonus of working with a dog in the show. “Working with a dog has been great. It’s a challenge because the dog needs to be bonded with me and trust me enough to lift her up and to follow me onstage like she’s my dog. It’s a really wonderful experience to have,” Clausen said.
There is not a doubt in their minds that audiences will quickly fall in love with this show. “The cast is incredibly talented. This show is hilarious and is a great escape for the night,” Clausen said.
Claire was clearly in agreement and added “there are fun doodads hidden onstage, some personal items from the cast, and some running gags or bits that each character has chosen to do. This show is so much fun!”
They didn’t want to reveal too many secrets to me, so audiences will have to see The Game’s Afoot to find out how their hard work comes together to make this humorous roller coaster of a show.
The Game’s Afoot opens Thursday, Feb. 16, runs through Saturday, Feb. 18, and runs for a second weekend from Thursday, Feb. 23 through Sunday, Feb. 26. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. nightly with 2 p.m. shows on Saturday, Feb. 25, and Sunday, Feb. 26. Tickets are available in the Performing Arts box office from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, or starting an hour before each show. Tickets are $16 for general admission and $11 for current MNSU students.