Jeeves & Wooster in Perfect Nonsense
The Palace Theatre, Southend on Sea
26-31 October 2015
The Palace Theatre, Southend on Sea
26-31 October 2015
I was fortunate to have been able to see this show during it’s opening week in the West End with Matthew MacFadyen and Stephen Mangan starring as Jeeves and Wooster and with Mark Hadfield playing Seppings, the manservant. It quite deservedly won the 2014 Laurence Olivier Best Comedy Award and so I had high expectations of this touring version which is at The Palace Theatre all this week.
Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense is a play written by David and Robert Goodale and is based on the 1938 P G Wodehouse novel The Code of the Woosters. When a country house weekend takes a turn for the worse, Bertie Wooster is unwittingly called on to play matchmaker, but also to steal a silver cow creamer from Totleigh Towers. Naturally, the ever dependable Jeeves is there to prevent Bertie from making a fool of himself.
The theatrical fourth wall is immediately broken with Bertie Wooster, played by Matthew Carter, explaining to the audience what happened over the aforementioned weekend. He then decides that it would be much more fun if the story were acted out - he’d seen a couple of plays, how difficult could this acting lark be? Well, indeed! Finding it difficult to play the many characters needed in telling this story, his trusty butler Jeeves steps in to assist in the role-play and they are further aided by servant, Seppings, as they both magnificently take on the many roles that Bertie introduces us to as his version of events unfolds. Scene changes, costume changes and many persona's are taken on by these two actors and timing is essential; they must be commended for their expertise.
With character names such as Gussie Fink-Nottle, Sir Watkin Bassett, Aunt Dahlia, Stephanie Bing, Pongo Twizelton and Stinker Pinker you can’t fail to chuckle and Joseph Chance as Jeeves does a fabulous job, although he really has his work cut out. Jeeves is the servant who is as cool as a cucumber and can rise unfazed to any challenge with ease, however, The Palace Theatre stage rake (it is the steepest in the UK, I believe) was something that I think even Jeeves found to be a slight challenge. With a subtle ad lib about ‘Westcliff wedges’ being thrown in, as he secured certain parts of the scenery to the stage with wooden block wedges, I couldn’t help feeling a tad nervous. Having said this, in true Jeeves style, this was done very slickly and with the many characters he portrayed, Joseph Chance, gave the stand out performance of the night with some very funny moments. I enjoyed one in particular where he was forced to play out two characters simultaneously, for which he was a given a well deserved round of applause from the audience. He had the character of Jeeves down to a tee and I loved the knowing raised eyebrow expression he gave every time his character knew he was in the right.
Matthew Carter played the part of the foppish Wooster well against Chance’s Jeeves. Robert Goodale as Seppings who is actually the co-writer of the play along with this brother David, also did a good job, although I feel there were some comedy moments lost in a few places where delivery could have been clearer, which is a shame.
The first Act of this play seemed to be lacking a little in energy; perhaps this could be attributed to the added pressure of the actors having to make sure scenery wouldn’t slide down the stage. However, in Act 2 things instantly picked up and there were laughs abound, beginning with Bertie playing with this rubber ducky in the bath and ending with a fun Charleston-esque curtain call.
I have to admit that my expectations weren’t quite met with this touring version, however, the first night audience were full of laughs and smiles throughout. ‘Perfect Nonsense’ is exactly that. An evening of madcap ridiculousness and good old fashioned fun. I just hope there are enough ‘Westcliff wedges’ to last the week.
Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense is on all week at The Palace Theatre. Call Box Office 01702 351135 for tickets or go online at www.southendtheatres.org.uk
Ask the audience
Nicola Roper, Canvey Island
“I thought it was really brilliant. It reminded me of Blackadder and Monty Python rolled into one! Jeeves was my favourite. It’s great to have a show like this locally and it’s a good family show. A good old fashioned fast paced comedy.”
Jo Thomson, Canvey Island
“It’s absolutely ridiculous - but in a good way. I love the nonsense of it, it made me laugh throughout.”
Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense is a play written by David and Robert Goodale and is based on the 1938 P G Wodehouse novel The Code of the Woosters. When a country house weekend takes a turn for the worse, Bertie Wooster is unwittingly called on to play matchmaker, but also to steal a silver cow creamer from Totleigh Towers. Naturally, the ever dependable Jeeves is there to prevent Bertie from making a fool of himself.
The theatrical fourth wall is immediately broken with Bertie Wooster, played by Matthew Carter, explaining to the audience what happened over the aforementioned weekend. He then decides that it would be much more fun if the story were acted out - he’d seen a couple of plays, how difficult could this acting lark be? Well, indeed! Finding it difficult to play the many characters needed in telling this story, his trusty butler Jeeves steps in to assist in the role-play and they are further aided by servant, Seppings, as they both magnificently take on the many roles that Bertie introduces us to as his version of events unfolds. Scene changes, costume changes and many persona's are taken on by these two actors and timing is essential; they must be commended for their expertise.
With character names such as Gussie Fink-Nottle, Sir Watkin Bassett, Aunt Dahlia, Stephanie Bing, Pongo Twizelton and Stinker Pinker you can’t fail to chuckle and Joseph Chance as Jeeves does a fabulous job, although he really has his work cut out. Jeeves is the servant who is as cool as a cucumber and can rise unfazed to any challenge with ease, however, The Palace Theatre stage rake (it is the steepest in the UK, I believe) was something that I think even Jeeves found to be a slight challenge. With a subtle ad lib about ‘Westcliff wedges’ being thrown in, as he secured certain parts of the scenery to the stage with wooden block wedges, I couldn’t help feeling a tad nervous. Having said this, in true Jeeves style, this was done very slickly and with the many characters he portrayed, Joseph Chance, gave the stand out performance of the night with some very funny moments. I enjoyed one in particular where he was forced to play out two characters simultaneously, for which he was a given a well deserved round of applause from the audience. He had the character of Jeeves down to a tee and I loved the knowing raised eyebrow expression he gave every time his character knew he was in the right.
Matthew Carter played the part of the foppish Wooster well against Chance’s Jeeves. Robert Goodale as Seppings who is actually the co-writer of the play along with this brother David, also did a good job, although I feel there were some comedy moments lost in a few places where delivery could have been clearer, which is a shame.
The first Act of this play seemed to be lacking a little in energy; perhaps this could be attributed to the added pressure of the actors having to make sure scenery wouldn’t slide down the stage. However, in Act 2 things instantly picked up and there were laughs abound, beginning with Bertie playing with this rubber ducky in the bath and ending with a fun Charleston-esque curtain call.
I have to admit that my expectations weren’t quite met with this touring version, however, the first night audience were full of laughs and smiles throughout. ‘Perfect Nonsense’ is exactly that. An evening of madcap ridiculousness and good old fashioned fun. I just hope there are enough ‘Westcliff wedges’ to last the week.
Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense is on all week at The Palace Theatre. Call Box Office 01702 351135 for tickets or go online at www.southendtheatres.org.uk
Ask the audience
Nicola Roper, Canvey Island
“I thought it was really brilliant. It reminded me of Blackadder and Monty Python rolled into one! Jeeves was my favourite. It’s great to have a show like this locally and it’s a good family show. A good old fashioned fast paced comedy.”
Jo Thomson, Canvey Island
“It’s absolutely ridiculous - but in a good way. I love the nonsense of it, it made me laugh throughout.”
