Jeeves Takes Charge Review: chaos and bewilderment in the world of Wodehouse
- Emma Knott
- 13 hours ago
- 3 min read
18 August 2026 | 19:30 | Charing Cross Theatre, London (followed by UK Tour)
⭐⭐ | PR - Invite
Tonight, I visited one of my favourite theatres, the Charing Cross Theatre, tucked away beneath the bustling walkway connecting Embankment and Charing Cross stations. One of those theatrical spaces almost hidden from the world, with well-tiered seating and the occasional rumble of trains heard through the auditorium. And for this revival of Jeeves Takes Charge, I had absolutely no idea what to expect.
Directed by Hugh Wooldridge, this production is based on the much-loved Jeeves & Wooster stories of P. G. Wodehouse, giving it an established comic world and considerable literary pedigree. First produced in 1980 by the likes of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh, impressive names have previously backed the show.
Except there is something rather strange about sitting in a theatre surrounded by people laughing uproariously, while you are desperately trying to work out exactly what you are supposed to be finding funny. Perhaps I wasn't the intended demographic for this old-fashioned style of comedy. The audience were clearly having a wonderful evening, though I felt increasingly bewildered.
There are moments where the appeal is clear, and visually there is a great deal to appreciate. Caite Hevner's set design gives the show a strong theatrical identity, while Tim Mitchell's lighting design is effective in creating energy and movement in the space. Despite its non-current humour, the production certainly feels like a carefully constructed play with a great deal of craft behind the scenes.
Though undoubtably, the biggest achievement of the evening comes from Sam Harrison. The sheer amount of content he has to handle is extraordinary. He plays 22 (!) roles, switching between them and rattling through a near-impossible number of lines with great stamina. Harrison's technical skill is so admirable where, even when not enjoying the material itself, you have to be in awe of his versatility and capacity of memory.
Unfortunately, skill doesn't always equate with entertainment. Harrison's solo performance and dialogue is so relentless that it loses itself, and feels like we are in the middle of the increasingly frantic ramblings of a very well-dressed madman. The exaggerated upper-class accent can be difficult to take seriously, sometimes sounding more like a caricature of Tom Allen than a convincing character voice.
The first act does include some honestly laugh-out-loud moments, and it gets off to a somewhat humorous opening. But is it possible to be too young to appreciate this? Or is the rhythm of Wodehouse's disorderly comedy too intense for stage productions to handle?
I found the plot difficult to follow amidst the constant stream of text that becomes quickly exhausting, and hard to invest in. I particularly struggled with the title itself. For a show titled Jeeves Takes Charge, I wondered when he was going to figuratively 'take charge'. He never really feels like the central character you'd expect. Rather than Jeeves and his ability to control the chaos, he often gets lost within it. Given the title, I wanted Jeeves to have a much stronger presence and influence than he does.
There came a point where I stopped trying to de-code the plot and accept that this style of farce simply wasn't working for me. At two hours (including an interval), the running time isn't particularly long by theatre standards, though it feels it, wearing me down the further Act Two went on.
I leave Charing Cross Theatre with much admiration for the raw energy and craftsmanship it takes to build a show like this, especially the inventive set and lighting. Though also with very little understanding on the Wodehouse universe, and little desire to see the show again. Judging by the bounds of laughter around me, I may very much be in the minority, but maybe Jeeves Takes Charge simply isn't my cup of tea.
Set to transfer to Southampton's Mayflower Studios (29th September - 3rd October) ahead of a 2027 National UK Tour. Now playing at London's Charing Cross Theatre until the 6th September:
