Review: JEEVES AND WOOSTER IN PERFECT NONSENSE at Shaw Festival

That  belovedly droll English valet of old, Jeeves, has resurfaced to the delight of everyone in the the charming play JEEVES AND WOOSTER IN PERFECT NONSENSE now onstage at The Shaw Festival. After the recent demolition of the Royal George Theatre in Niagara on the Lake Ontario, the Shaw Festival has set up stage yet again in the home if it's birth, the Court House Theatre. The small confines seemed tailor made for the deliciously silly antics of P.G. Wodehouse's most famous characters.

Authors Robert Goodale and David Goodale have fashioned a new escapade for Jeeves and his master Bertie Wooster, with the approval of the Wodehouse Estate, of course. The 2013 play based on Wodehouse's novel "The Code Of  Woosters"  was widely praised on it's debut in London, and it's easy to see how audiences would yet again fall in love with the cherished characters.  It seems Bertie has had a wonderful adventure at Totleigh Towers, and with the prodding of friends decides to re-enact the entire escapade for the theatre audience. Thus a play in play situation ensues. Joined by an additional manservant, Seppings, this brilliant trio presents the story playing too many characters to even name. Briefly put, Bertie is charged with obtaining a stolen  silver cow creamer for his Aunt Dahlia's silver collection. A sillier plot line couldn't be conceived, but the chaos that ensues brings a colorful cast of  characters to life.

Damien Atkins is our Jeeves, talk and lanky, indifferent and uber capable of all tasks, Atkins is delightful to watch.  But as the mayhem begins  Atkins now dons a dress while clutching a dog made of a literal mop and sounding like Maggie Smith, charming at every turn. When groaning as an octogenarian, his physical humor is hysterical. And when he quite literally plays two characters simultaneously with a split  down the middle costume, he triumphs.

Jeff Irving plays Bertie, and even though he only plays this one role, he surely gets his share of hilarity. Irving is nimble, scaling set pieces and sitting atop bookcases like Endora in "Bewitched." He revels in his new theatrical talents and his asides are charming, as he "becomes" an actor.  As narrator,or actor in a scene, Irving is in full control.

Travis Seetoo is Seppings, and oh so many others. When playing auntie, complete with high heels, he is goofy and imperious. But his most superbly silly scenes are those as the toweringly tall villain Roderick Spode. The brilliant stage machine he uses to accentuate his 7 foot height  has to be seen to be understood, and it is perfection. And is "handling" of a wild dog was howl inducing.

The two act play relies on a great deal of exposition in the first act, which at first seems silly without much merit. But by the second act, all of the premises set forth earlier come to full fruition. The play morphs into fantastic farce, with spinning sets, prat falls, disappearing doors, and utter character confusion. The fine actors appear to be having a ball as the quick costume changes and off stage antics are presented with technical precision. A farce can be hysterically funny if handled with care, or derail into an onstage mess if not perfectly choreographed.

The marvelous set and costume designs by Sim Suzer tick all the boxes, full of bright colored surprises to add to the comedy.

Director Brendan McMurtry-Howlett assuredly handles the herculean task of directing with fine  comedic pacing and a sense of controlled chaos. The vocal sound effects, double entendre and sight gags all add to the frivolity. The play is presented for pure enjoyment, not afraid to be giddy. These cherished characters remain true to their origins, without imposing new moralities. The end result is a charmer sure to put a grin on even the most stern Scrooges of the world.

JEEVES AND WOOSTER in PERFECT NONSENSE plays at the Court House Theatre of  The Shaw Festival  in Niagara-on-the Lake through October 10, 2026. Contact shawfest.com for more information.

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