Jeeves Takes Charge

Review by Penny

⭐️⭐️

This show tells a number of short P.G. Woodhouse stories involving Bertie Wooster and the butler of search-engine renown, Jeeves.

The production credits P.G. Wodehouse with the book, which has supposedly been adapted, though frankly this feels like a word-for-word reading of the stories. According to its programme, this play is set in 2025, and yet absolutely nothing about it would suggest the story has been adapted from its original early 20th century setting – the phone and car mimed are both distinctly antiquated, not to mention the sending and receiving of TELEGRAMS, and the storylines, language, set (beautifully designed with clever and effective projections by Caite Hevner) and costumes all point to it remaining as it was first written. If it is to be believed that these stories are set in our present day, that makes even more egregious the incredibly dated and unfunny humour dripping with misogyny that peppers every story.

If any performer were going to be able to redeem this production, it would be Sam Harrison, who delivers a masterclass in character comedy. In an impressive feat of stamina and attention to detail, Harrison transforms himself into each one of the show’s twenty-two characters with clarity and ease; even if not enjoying the play itself, it is impossible not to be charmed by his ownership of the stage and delightful comic timing.

However, even this exceptional performance cannot make this production worth the ticket price, not least because even the show itself can’t decide if it wants Harrison to play all the characters or occasionally having him respond to his own voice through the speakers, thus undermining his competence and spoiling the spectacle! The stories are boring, the stakes non-existent, and there is absolutely nothing of note, bar Harrison's performance, to take away from the evening.

Perhaps better left in the previous century, Jeeves Takes Charge is decidedly not “very good, Sir”.