Review: Jeeves & Wooster in Perfect Nonsense at the Duke Of York's Theatre

Jeeves & Wooster in Perfect Nonsense 
Duke Of York's Theatre
Reviewed on Wednesday 13th October 2013

Based on and adapted from the established literary works of P.G. Wodehouse, brothers Robert and David Goodale are behind this production of Jeeves & Wooster in Perfect Nonsense at the Duke Of York's Theatre. While I'm sure fans of P.G. Wodehouse's work will lap up this comedy, personally I didn't find the production enjoyable which came as a surprise as usually I love a bit of slapstick comedy.

There are similarities between Perfect Nonsense and The 39 Steps (which I love) to the extent that both make fun out of the fact that they are in a theatre. Both plays have very small casts playing multiple roles, but Perfect Nonsense's storyline is so flat and irrelevant that I failed to become engaged. I found the first five minutes funny but then I felt like I had seen it all... there was nowhere for it to go. 

Matthew Macfadyen and Stephen Mangan are both exceptionally talented comedic actors and give stellar performances as Jeeves and Bertie Wooster. But Perfect Nonsense is not a two-hander, Mark Hadfield completes the cast as Steppings. Both Macfadyen and Hadfield show great versatility, seamlessly switching between roles within seconds. I can only imagine what must go on backstage during the performance - it must be organised chaos! 

Perfect Nonsense contains some very clever and witty moments, I chuckled on many occasions but not once did I find myself in hysterics. However, I did find it very amusing to listen to various audience reactions which included screams, snorts and endless rounds of applause. It seems Perfect Nonsense really does tickle certain people, as I peered around the auditorium I noticed a variety of both engaged and baffled faces. 

If you are a big fan of P.G. Wodehouse you would be mad to miss this production. Otherwise I think there are stronger slapstick comedies around at the moment. As the cast bowed to the cheering, adoring audience I was reminded of the beauty of theatre; what one person can find hysterically funny, another can find tediously tiresome.

Reviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)

andrew@westendframe.com

Jeeves & Wooster in Perfect Nonsense runs at the Duke Of York's Theatre until 8th March 2014.
Click here to book tickets.

Photo Credit: David Jensen

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