GRAHAM Hopkins steps smartly into the polished shoes of the ultimate gentleman’s gentleman in Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense at Theatre on the Bay from October 17 until November 8.
Based on PG Wodehouse’s The Code of the Woosters, the play is directed by Steven Stead, and features Hopkins as Jeeves and Jonathan Roxmouth as Bertie Wooster.
An engagement hangs in the balance, a silver cow creamer is suddenly very much in demand, and Jeeves dutifully does everything in his power to ensure Bertie doesn’t make a fool of himself over a weekend in the country.
“It’s an enactment of one of PG Wodehouse’s novels,” explains Hopkins. “Bertie Wooster is relating one of his anecdotes on stage , and his butler Jeeves helps him out with re-enacting the story.”
The piece was written by David and Robert Goodale, and won the 2014 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy. Hopkins says that it is presented in classic Wodehouse style. “The novels are quite difficult to put on stage, because a lot of the comedy comes through in the narrative,” he says, but adds that even so, a lot of Wodehouse’s narrative is still there.
Hopkins plays Jeeves, who in turn plays a variety of different characters as Wooster relates his tale. “Jeeves has the classic deadpan delivery, he shows no emotion,” he says. It made playing other characters within those parameters a technical challenge, but one that Hopkins has tackled with enthusiasm.
“I was introduced to Wodehouse’s novels when I was at school. I knew Wodehouse pretty well. It’s a delight to read them again,” he says. But his preparation has stretched beyond just re-reading the classics. He’s also enjoyed reading Sebastian Faulks’ tribute to Wodehouse Jeeves and the Wedding Bells. “You get the script and start to read around it – you don’t just read the script,” he explains.
He and Roxmouth are joined on stage by Robert Fridjhon who plays another valet Seppings who gets roped into helping tell Wooster’s raucous tale, with the likes of Gussie Fink-Nottle, Madeline Bassett, Sir Watkin Bassett, Dahlia Travers, Roderick Spode and Constable Oates putting in appearances.
“It’s a huge challenge and it requires a lot of precision. It’s a lot like doing a farce,” says Hopkins. “It’s a great tribute to the Wodehouse novels.”
Rehearsals saw the actors leaning words and moves, while trying to manage costumes and juggle props. In the thick of preparations Hopkins said it felt like “climbing Everest”, as they used odd objects to represent props and worked draped in sheets. “At the moment it’s complete chaos,” he laughed, but added that it’s “enormous fun” and that by the time the show opens at Theatre on the Bay it will be smooth.
He especially praised the talents of designer Greg King who has been instrumental in bringing the show to life. “The whole premise is Jeeves helping his employer to re-enact a story on stage, so you hear a hammer and then Jeeves produces a set piece. You see all the furniture being moved around by the two butlers. It’s quite magical in that way – you’re not asked to suspend your disbelief.” He says that the London production had elaborate set pieces, but that he feels this local staging will have more charm.
“Those who know PG Wodehouse will know immediately what they’re going to get: a delightful, witty, quirky, unique view of the world. And for those who don’t, it’s a wonderful introduction. Wodehouse appeals to all ages,” he says, adding that he hopes people will go and buy a book of two after the show.
“It’s comedy, it’s light, it’s not going to challenge you. It’s real escapism. Magical.”
* Tickets are R95 to R165. To book, call 021 438 3300.