BY JEEVES – was on at Old Laundry Theatre in Bowness on Windermere, 6 Oct – 4 Nov 2017.
If you’re in the mood for a night out whilst in the Lakes, the Old Laundry Theatre at Bowness puts on a wide variety of theatre, music and comedy, and this year, celebrates 25 years of cultural creativity.
The Theatre is tucked away just off the main street, and is a hub of events and performances; sharing a home with the World of Beatrix Potter Attraction.
Over the years, the Old Laundry has welcomed a host of famous names, from Alan Carr and Jenny Eclair, to Victoria Wood and Sue Perkins.
The highlight of the 2017 season is Andrew Lloyd Webber and Alan Ayckbourn’s light-hearted musical: BY JEEVES, which opened on Friday 6 October for 4 weeks.
There’s also an impressive star-studded list of trustees at the Theatre; including husband and wife Roger Glossop and Charlotte Scott, who told us: “We wouldn’t be where we are now without Alan Ayckbourn’s support, he gave us the confidence to open the theatre and its success is down to him”.
Enjoy this rare chance to see Alan Ayckbourn’s revival of this jocular BY JEEVES production which brings back together the original creative team from 1996 including:
Olivier and Tony-award-winning Alan Ayckbourn as Director; set designer Roger Glossop (also owner of the Old Laundry Theatre) and choreographer Sheila Carter.
Joining the production team is musical director Steven Edis and his band of local musicians.
Set in the ‘Roaring 20’s’ and keeping the dottiness of the original PJ Wodehouse stories, BY JEEVES brings to life a cast of colourful characters, including the irrepressible Bertie Wooster, with his unquenchable optimism; along with his wonderfully supercilious butler Jeeves, renowned for his deadpan digs.
The colourful characters continually and hilariously swap identities as they battle to salvage love and cover up embarrassing errors, causing confusion and mayhem galore!
Alan Ayckbourn, a man of, literally, many words with 81 plays and musicals to his name says: “By Jeeves is a party. It’s a celebration of theatre. I was always attracted by the innocence in Wodehouse and love the simplicity and characters, which I still find so refreshing.
CAST:
- Bill Champion plays the title role of the faithful and long suffering manservant, Jeeves.
- Nadim Naaman plays loveable chump and bachelor Bertie Wooster.
Bill and Nadim are joined by a cast of iconic Wodehouse characters with:
- Jamie Baughan – as clergyman Stinker Pinker
- Katie Birtill – as the cute and spoiled Madelaine Bassett
- Howard Chadwick – as Madelaine’s controlling father Judge Watkyn Bassett
- Joshua Manning – as villain and jelly tycoon Cyrus Budge
- Oliver Mawdsley – as reclusive scientist Gussie Fink-Nottle
- Naomi Petersen – as Bassett’s sweet ward Stiffy Byng
- Nigel Richards – as nerdy friend Bingo Little
- Melle Stewart – as hedgehog lover Honoria Glossop.
Already receiving rave reviews, tickets start at £20 and are available online at at the Old Laundry Theatre website or via the Box Office 015394 40872.
Photos: Old Laundry Theatre & Steve Barber Photography
