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Lyrics - Alan Ayckbourn
Opened - First version: 1975, New version: 1996
Main characters - Bertie Wooster, Jeeves, Honouria, Madeleine, Sir Watkyn, Stiffy, Gussy, Bingo
Plot - By Jeeves is based on the upper-class characters of the novels by P.G.Wodehouse. The main characters are Bertrum Wilberforce Wooster, who's brain power leaves a lot to be desired, and his butler Jeeves. The musical tells the lighthearted story of one day of mix ups and mis-placed desires. The actual plot is far too complex and has too many strands to describe here, but in general they all involve Bertie getting into all kinds of tricky situations. People assume false names, try to negotiate matters of the heart, and even dress up as a pig. Despite the huge mess and confusion everything resolves itself at the end and everyone is happy. Bertie plays us out with a performance on his banjo, though unfortunately it has extra special strings which can't be recorded! So they end on a song which captures the spirit of the banjo instead.
Songs (With marks out of 10) -
(Average - 9.33, Overall score - 256)
1.The Code of the Woosters (10)
2.Travel Hopefully (10)
3.That was nearly us (10)
4.Love's maze (9)
5.The hallo song (9)
6.By Jeeves (10)
7.When love arrives (10)
8.What have you got to say, Jeeves! (8)
9.Half a moment (10)
10.It's a pig (8)
11.Banjo boy (8)
12.Megamix (10)
Favourite song - Half a moment
Favourite character - Madeleine or Bingo
Favourite lines -
"Time, they say, is relative, infinite as space. This must be eternity,
neither time nor place."
- Stinker, on his love for Stiffy, 'Half a moment'
"Time looks kindly on fleeting lovers, they can turn the briefest hour into a day."
- Stiffy, on her love for Stinker, 'Half a moment'
Comment - By Jeeves is pure escapism into the snooty but hilarious world of Bertie Wooster and his friends. Quite a lot of it is narrative between Bertie and Jeeves, but I never tire of listening to it because it's so funny and the storyline is so interesting. As well as this there are many lovely songs, especially 'Half a moment', which is my second favourite song after 'Memory'. By Jeeves can always cheer me up if I'm feeling sad because it's so happy and light-hearted, I just love it!