Jeeves Takes Charge

Charing Cross Theatre

Watching one man play several characters for 2 hours can get confusing and disengaging. The comedy does not hit, and it's just very dated.

This is a review from someone who didn't know anything about the well-loved, hard-working author P.G. Wodehouse or his comic characters. His stories have clearly touched a wide audience.

Once upon a time, this was an Olivier Award-winning show... 45 years ago. As a late-twenties theatre-goer, this show did not seem to tickle my funny bone, nor did it bring up much feeling. A lot of the time, I found myself wondering if there was something wrong with me, because it wasn't tickling me like the audience around me. This is a 2 act show that lasts two hours, including the 20-minute interval, and it is a one-man show. It is a fragmented show that shows a selection of P.G. Wodehouse stories, and the one actor plays ALL the characters. It isn't always clear what character is being played or what is going on. It's slapstick, witty, the language is dated, but it is set in the mid 1900s. It just does not really land for a younger audience, but the older audience seems to adore it. This performance was played by the alternate actor Rupert Sadler.

Whilst the show drags, the performer can't be faulted; he has an abundance of energy throughout and whips from character to character. Whilst he differentiates each character, it's hard to follow the story at times and what character is being played. The script is fast-paced, and the change from scene to scene could be less fragmented. Rupert Sadler uses the stage tactfully, and whilst it is just him, he makes the stage feel full and occupied. His characters get crazier as the show goes on, and his comical style truly shines. Whilst the jokes don't always land, he uses the text to the best of his abilities to make the dialogue funny. It's dated British humour, and whilst it did not work for me, it seems to be well received by the rest of the audience. There were a handful of moments that are made enjoyable by Sadler, particularly his version of the young boy 'Edwin '. He puts so much thought into how to show himself as a young boy, and this elevates the comedy in this moment. It's actually really impressive when he does the bows as each of the characters, clearly showing how much thought and work went into embodying and separating each one individually.

The most interesting aspect was the set/video design by Caite Hevner; it made the blank set turn into different rooms. This was high tech and really cool. However, it did make me miss the amazing works of art a set design can be. That does not change the fact that it was really impressive and seamlessly changed the setting. One of the most interesting moments that was stylised was a section of a scene showing that the character was on a train and the picture frames had moving images, giving the impression of a train going through different scenic locations. The lighting by Tim Mitchell also played a good role in creating the atmosphere of the show. Whilst these design elements were really modern and high-tech, they felt too new for the time period of the show. You found yourself missing a visual, old-style set.

Whilst this show was not my cup of tea, it very much was for a lot of people who were in the audience, and that is the great thing about theatre: everyone has different experiences. This show did not feel targeted at my demographic, and the style was too fragmented to be followed with ease. This is worth the watch if you are someone who loves a bit of PG Woodhouse. It's a different piece of theatre, and I have great appreciation for Rupert Sadler's performance and energy. Go and check this out to see what you think!