by Louise Brooke

Listening to Humphrey Lyttleton’s jazz show the other night, I was surprised to hear his comment (on giving track listings for a particular number he had just played) that two banjos were perhaps a little in excess. He obviously had not been to see the production of By Jeeves playing in Eastbourne, as I had – four times in all, and I am now an unashamed convert to the banjolele. A plot within a plot soon becomes evident, with Wodehouse characters playing other Wodehouse characters who are instantly recognised by nature, if not always by their name, and the musicians as well as the audience are kept very much involved in the action. Of the productions I went to see, though, the audience didn’t need an invitation to become included in goings-on, which were as deliberately chaotic and confused as one would find in any Wodehouse novel.

The moment you hear the words ‘Trust Wooster’, you know things are not going to happen according to plan. Turns of events are narrated throughout intermittently by Bertie and Jeeves to ensure you’re fully up to speed, but also to fill in the gaps in the plot. The action, however, is continuous, never lacking in energy or enthusiasm, and there is an indicative echo of ‘Oh Lord’ following the unfortunate results of Bertie’s plans. This production is deliberately in the tradition of amateur dramatics, with appropriate props and sets, complementing the whole atmosphere. The characters are all equally colourful, each as strong in presence and performance as the others.

The singing is superb, with harmonies worthy of any church choir, and lively dance moves accompany the numbers. The choreography is as slick and precise as any Bob Fosse production; the Charleston comes into its own on more than one occasion (even Jeeves dares to have a go). Stunts are also well done, as Bertie strives to escape the foibles and afflictions of his friends, who continually embroil him in their antics and affairs, mostly of the heart – whether it is freeing himself from them whilst driving, encountering an all-too-puzzling maze (in more ways than one), or making an acrobatic headfirst ‘up’ a ladder.

The whole thing does sort itself out at the end, of course, when, despite previous protests, Bertie accepts the inevitable intervention of Jeeves, who saves the day – and the show. The whole cast joins in the grand finale, reprising several musical numbers in costumes from another show, lending a surreal aspect and leaving melodies ringing in your ears long after the orchestra have stopped playing.

Whether or not one is a reader of Wodehouse, this is entertainment for everyone to enjoy, a special treat with the indomitable Jeeves and the scatterbrain Bertie. As Jeeves, Jeffrey (Hi De Hi's Spike) Holland looked very much the part, and Jon Trenchard, playing Bingo Little, almost never stopped smiling throughout.

As Bertie, Robin Armstrong gave an excellent performance of which I think Wodehouse himself would approve.

By Jeeves is a fun-filled romp of constant surprises, with laughter from beginning to end, toe-tapping tunes, and a script of syncopated wit and humour throughout. If it doesn’t tweak your sense of humour, nothing will. I left the theatre feeling ten years younger every time.

September 2007