Super sleuths will find themselves in the picture this October half-term when the classic board game Cluedo is brought to life at Beamish Museum.
Excitement has been building following the announcement of the new attraction at the vast County Durham site where it is set to make its debut this weekend. Beamish Cluedo - the museum's own version of the famous game - will launch this Saturday and then will be available to play daily throughout half-term until October 30.
And those who take part and manage to crack the whodunnit case also will be able to enjoy the spotlight with a starring role in a photograph opportunity afterwards in the main 1900s Town. The game of detection is set to capture the imagination, with the murder mystery at its heart playing out in atmospheric surroundings and the museum's settings - which include the 1820s, 1900s, 1940s and 1950 - providing plenty period detail for the crime.
Read more: A Christmas Carol is among festive events at Durham Cathedral
The object of Cluedo, which was originally devised in 1943, is for the players - who each take on the role of one of six suspects - to discover who murdered the victim of the game. Faced with questions and answers from the other suspects, they pick up clues to the crime as they progress along the game board which features various rooms in a mansion.
Besides naming the murderer, they must also deduce where the crime took place and which weapon was used. Beamish version has teamed up with Cluedo makers Hasbro to launch its own edition of the game and it offers a new take on the original, with fresh characters and a cast adding to the mix. For those keen to be among the first to take part in its October 22-30 run, here's how to play.
Cleudo - can you crack it?
Twice-daily opportunities to play Cleudo will begin at Beamish Museum in the morning of Saturday, October 22. Those planning an early visit will need to book a 10am, 11am or 12noon timeslot. After 1pm, however, pre-booking is no longer required.
Entry to the museum requires the purchase of a pass which then offers free access for a year. The game, like most other attractions, is free to these unlimited pass holders. It is also free to those with Friends of Beamish membership.
There will be two chances a day to play the game - at 11am and 2pm. Players should meet at those times in the bandstand in the park of The 1900s Town, or in the town's Masonic Hall if it rains.
The murder victim is Mr Green the Greengrocer and there will be a list of crime suspects, with the likes of The Music Teacher, The Suffragette and The Mechanic taking the place of the likes of the traditional Colonel Mustard and Professor Plum.
Players will make their way around The 1900s Town during the course of the game, to inspect the garage, bank, chemist’s, dentist’s, grocer’s and Masonic Hall. Various suspects and weapons will be there to be discovered.
Through a process of elimination, players must work out where Mr Green was murdered, what weapon was used to commit the crime and, most important of all, exactly whodunnit.
Players can cross off the suspects and the weapons they discover in various locations. Then the suspect and the weapon revealed to be left remaining will solve the case.
The answers regarding the identity of the killer and what was used to commit the crime will be revealed back at the bandstand (or Masonic Hall) before 12noon in the first game and before 3pm in the second.
Morning players can also assemble in The 1900s Town at 1pm for a photo opportunity. The answers to the case also will be displayed at the entrance to the museum and all those who get the Cleudo location, weapon and suspect correct will receive a certificate.
To book timeslots for Beamish Museum see here and find information here about the full half-term programme of events on offer. From Saturday, October 22, there also will be a Beamish Museum Cleudo game on sale in the town's stalls and the on-site shop as well as from its online shop, where there is already a version of Beamish Monopoly.
Read Next
