Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense

Last night I went to see

The play was based on P.G Wodehouse's 'Code of the Woosters'.

I am a big fan of P.G Wodehouse's novels, and 90s tv series Jeeves and Wooster with Stephan Fry and Hugh Laurie.  As a result, I have always thought of Laurie and Fry as the perfect Wooster and Jeeves, so I have to admit that I went to the theatre fully expecting to be disappointed by the actors. Not a great attitude to have I know but I felt that no one could be as good as Laurie and Fry.

Stephan Fry and Jeeves and Hugh Laurie as Bertie in Jeeves and Wooster

However I couldn't have been more wrong. The play was fabulous. I was in fits of laughter all the way through. Matthew Macfadyen was very good as Jeeves but I felt he was just a bit too loud - he seemed to shout everything when he was playing Jeeves (he played a number of roles. There were only 3 members of the cast and several parts!) So for me Stephan Fry is still the best Jeeves. Having said this, I do think that Matthew Macfadyen is an amazing actor and that he played all his parts, throughout the play, brilliantly, he just isn't the perfect Jeeves. However, Hugh Laurie now has serious competition, Stephen Mangan was absolutely wonderful as Bertie. 

There was also a third actor, Mark Hadfield, who mainly played the part of Seppings, Bertie's aunt's butler. I say mainly as he also played Bertie's aunt and another character or two (it was a sort of play within a play. Confusing to explain but it worked perfectly on the stage), he was also wonderful.

And just when I thought the play couldn't get any better, the cast finished off with a display of the Charleston!!! :) 

Frankly I think it is one of the best plays I have ever seen, and I would definitely recommend it, even to non P.G Wodehouse fans. They are having a slight change of cast at the end of this month though, the two main actors are changing.

Jeeves will be played by Mark Heap (period drama fans will recognise him as the postman from Lark Rise to Candleford). Bertie will be played by the comedian Robert Webb. Both are great actors so I am sure the play will continue to be fabulous. :)

Christmas Windows and Greetings

I have decided to take a break in my Jane Austen Festival posting, to bring you something slightly more festive. This morning I went into central London to see some of the shop windows, as I heard that Harrods's windows were a must see. I was not disappointed. The theme this year is a 30s style train - think Orient Express with a modern twist.

I will apologise in advance for the photos. They are not great because of the reflections on the windows, and because I had to take them quickly as there were so many people walking past!

The engine of the Harrods Christmas Express. The wheels moved, there was smoke and sound effects. So cool. :)

The name on one of the carriages

This was my favourite window

A close up. As you can see from the water drops on the glass, the weather was being typically British! 

There were large windows which showed the inside of carriages, and smaller windows which were set up as train carriage windows with blinds, showing little displays. I love this art deco style tea set (or it might be a coffee set!)

The bar carriage 

The dinning carriage

Try to ignore the National Express coach!!

Wishing you all the Merriest of Christmases. I hope you have a fabulous time. :)

Jane Austen Festival - Part 3

On the Sunday I went to a fabulous evening soiree. It was held in Beckford's Tower - an amazing folly in the outskirts of Bath, that was built in 1827 for William Beckford (who also commissioned Fonthill Abbey)

(image from www.pocketbritain.com)

When I arrived at the tower it was dark so I couldn't take any photos, so I borrowed this lovely photo of the tower in the snow (of course since it was September at the time it wasn't actually snowing, but thought I would be slightly festive, it being December! :) )

The party was organised by the wonderful Helena. It included delicious regency food, great entertainment and even a footman!

The evening began with a candlelit tour of the tower - where we climbed right to the top, and saw an amazing view over Bath. 

(taken by the lovely Claire Violet Hanley)

Aurora and I at the top of the tower

(Taken by the lovely Claire Violet Hanley)

Me and a rather ghostly image of Jeanette

(image from www.jetsettimes.com)

Looking down the stairs from the top of the tower. (Not taken by me as my camera is pretty rubbish in limited light.)

After the tour, we returned to the Drawing Room where we ate and chatted.

The food.

Then Jeanette, Lyze and Aurora performed a harp recital. 

And then the games began...

(Taken by the lovely Jeanette Klok-Heller)

A game of blindmans buff. It was hilarious, we were all in fits of laughter! You can just see me popping my head out from behind one side of the curtains and Lyze popping her head out the other side! :)

We had a wonderful time playing many other games, one being Pin the Tail on the Footman! The footman had a cushion tied to his chest and a picture of a napoleonic soldier on horseback, pinned to it. You had to try and pin the horse's tail on the horse without pinning the footman in the process!! Rather a tricky process. And it was made all the more difficult, and entertaining, by the fact that the footman kept moving around!! :)

On the Tuesday I went on the day trip to Stoneleigh Abbey - home of Jane Austen's relatives the Leighs. Sadly no photos were allowed inside the house, but here are a few of the outside.

Eliane. I love her camera basket - a very clever way to conceal a camera when aiming to look historically accurate.

Me hiding from the rain!!

The gatehouse

It was fascinating how the house, and Austen's stay there, inspired so many of the characters and scenes in her novels. It is definitely worth a visit.

After Stoneleigh we returned to Bath via Leamington Spa. I had never been to Leamington before, but sadly we weren't able to tour the town as the weather was being typically British and chucking it down with rain. We sought refuge in the local muesum, which contained much information about the town's history, and various items from its past.

A regency overshoe

Fabulous 30s Railway poster advertising the town

A Victorian shower

I can't remember what this is, but it looks rather like an inkwell.

I think this is a workbox.

Another fabulous poster

lace making

Amazing and adorable child's bonnet

After the museum, we sneaked into the pump rooms and took a few photos. 

Sadly the room was set up for a conference, so as you can see the picture is rather ruined by patches of ugly modernness.

The wonderful glass on the inner front doors.

We got lost on the way back to Bath, but luckily I made it back just in time to attend a lovely card party. More on that in the next post.