Matthew Macfadyen & Stephen Mangan star as Jeeves & Wooster in Perfect Nonsense at the Duke of York’s Theatre

In October this year, two of literature’s best-loved characters, the charmingly incompetent Bertie Wooster and his unflappable valet Jeeves will be brought to life in a new comedy by brothers Robert and David Goodale. 

It has been revealed that Sean Foley will direct Perfect Nonsense which opens at the Duke of York’s Theatre on 12th November 2013 (previews from 30th October) following two short runs at the Richmond Theatre (10th - 19th October) and the Brighton Theatre Royal (22nd – 26th October).

Sean Foley said "When the Goodale Brothers exceptional script, based on P.G Wodehouse's quintessential English double act of Jeeves and Wooster, was shown to me, I immediately knew I wanted to do it. Wodehouse is one of the greatest, if not the greatest, English comic writer, and the challenge of putting his finest creation on stage for the very first time is a tremendously exciting one. Fortunately, in a show where casting really is everything, I am thrilled to invite Matthew Macfadyen to give us his Jeeves, and Stephen Mangan to show us his Wooster… We all aim to create a wonderful, funny, evening in the theatre that will leave existing fans of Wodehouse, and a new generation of enthusiasts, positively gruntled."

Matthew Macfadyen is a BAFTA award-winning English actor, known for his roles as MI5 Intelligence Officer Tom Quinn in the BBC television drama series Spooks, Mr. Darcy in Pride & Prejudice and Daniel in the Frank Oz comedy Death at a Funeral. Matthew starred alongside Keira Knightley and Jude Law in Joe Wright's adaptation of Anna Karenina in 2012. His stage work also includes Nicholas Hytner's National Theatre production of Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2, starring as Prince Hal opposite Michael Gambon's Falstaff; and the Vaudeville Theatre production of Private Lives, starring opposite Kim Cattrall for director Richard Eyre.

Stephen Mangan is best known for roles including Guy Secretan in the television series Green Wing, Dan Moody in I'm Alan Partridge, Sean Lincoln in Episodes and holistic detective Dirk Gently in Dirk Gently. He has also appeared in numerous stage productions including Birthday and The People Are Friendly at the Royal Court and The Norman Conquests at the Old Vic and Circle in the Square Theatre in New York.

Like many siblings growing up together, writers Robert and David Goodale enjoyed their own, very particular brand of humour. As children they created a range of ridiculous characters that seamlessly evolved into members of their extended family. It was only later that they discovered that P.G. Wodehouse had beaten them to it, in creating an entirely credible world full of even more deliciously bonkers characters.

As adults entering the real world, Robert became an actor, while David pursued a career as a documentary filmmaker, but both remained committed to making people laugh. Two years ago they were encouraged to combine their comic talents to adapt P.G. Wodehouse's The Code of the Woostersfor the stage. They finally put pen to paper, and several drafts later, with the blessing of the Wodehouse Estate, Perfect Nonsense was born.

Photo Credit: Uli Weber

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