aristocrats, simpering flappers, gorgonesque aunts
‘I remember hearing about a young actor in a play
and silly young asses has scarcely aged (Made in
who had only one line - something like may I have a
Chelsea anyone?). The characters and the language
cup of tea,’ begins Lance. ‘Oh no. Not another
may speak of long-distant decades but the realm they
theatrical anecdote,’ groans Sinclair in mock horror.
inhabit has achieved a timeless quality, appealing to
Lance ignores him. He continues: ‘He was terribly
new generations who savour the wit while yielding
nervous and on the first night when he said his line,
to the charm.
there was a huge laugh from the audience. But on the
Although it must be a daunting task to measure up
second night when he said his line, there was complete
to the public expectations of such iconic characters,
silence. The same thing happened on the next night
actors are keen to take up the challenge (most
and the next. So he asked an old actor in the company
★★★★
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An inventive evening of bonkers comedy Daily mail
Wodehouse’s world of deranged aristocrats, simpering flappers, gorgonesque aunts and silly young asses has scarcely aged. recently Matthew Macfadyen/Stephen Mangan and
for his advice. And this is what he said to him. The first
Mark Heap/Robert Webb). The latest duo is James
time you asked for a cup of tea: the next time you
Lance as Bertie and John Gordon Sinclair as Jeeves.
asked for a laugh,’ Do Messrs Lance and Sinclair have
‘I was peripherally aware of Fry and Laurie as Jeeves
any similar thoughts for the audience? ‘Help!’ cries
and Wooster but I hadn’t read any of the books so
the latter. ‘Could each member of the audience bring
I’ve been making up for lost time’ says Lance. ‘They
a copy of the script with them, please’ requests Lance.
are incredibly witty, of course, but what I also like is
‘But if I do forget my lines, I shall simply turn to
the friendship which the two men have - it’s an early
Gordon and ask - what happens now, Jeeves?’ ■
A too-rare, 22-carat demonstration of silliness as one of the great English virtues financial Times
bromance and it is just delightful. It was once said of Wodehouse that whenever he had a negative feeling, he wished it away, and Bertie Wooster doesn’t dwell on any feelings of negativity or resentment either. It comes down to light and dark and in Wodehouse’s world, the light will always win out over the darkness, even over Spode, the Darth Vader figure.’ For Sinclair, Wodehouse has been something of a closed book - until now. ‘It might have been due to my growing up in Scotland but he wasn’t really on my radar. Now that word has spread about my playing Jeeves, all these people have come out of the woodwork to say how much they are fans of his wit, of his humour. One guy told me that he always takes a Wodehouse with him on the train journey into work. It seems that Wodehouse can even take the horror out of commuting.’ Lance and Sinclair, strangers to each other before they were brought together for Perfect Nonsense, have quickly developed an amiable, bantering relationship that bodes very well for the health of the show. ‘I’m very much a method actor and so already John has started to run my bath,’ reveals Lance, straight-faced. ‘I’d love to have a gentleman’s gentleman. Apparently Churchill couldn’t dress himself without the help of his valet and his man would always put Churchill’s tea-cup on the windowledge so that it would collect the softer rainwater for Churchill’s tea. I’m hoping that Gordon will do the same for me.’ ‘Then don’t be surprised if it turns rather a yellow colour at times,’ retorts Sinclair. ‘I’d be very uncomfortable with a butler. I’m far too working class. Even having a cleaner makes me feel like a class traitor.’ Lance and Sinclair compare notes about learning the lines: ‘If we can crack it, it will be fantastic, a riot and I don’t mean the audience demanding their money back,’ says Sinclair. ‘You can’t help but do it, despite the challenges, ’adds Lance. ‘It’s such a treat to be able to bask in Wodehouse’s humour.’
duke of york’s theatre
jeeves & wooster in perfect nonsense Starring James Lance & John Gordon Sinclair. The world premiere of the new stage play featuring P.G. Wodehouse’s iconic double act. Until September 2014 Box Office 0844 871 7623 Online booking at atgtickets.com ATG Magazine / 12