Sam Harrison is unbelievable
Tucked away under cobbled arches and decked out with the traditional touches of an English theatre—red carpeting, wooden bar and a lovely, white piano—Charing Cross Theatre seems a suitable home for the short new run of Jeeves Takes Charge, writes Melina Block.
Based on P.G. Wodehouse’s short stories from the early 20th century, this show first came to the West End 45 years ago, and it has very much retained the same old English sense of humour, drawing on the minuscule mishaps that feel more relevant to Downton Abbey than anything else.
But there is still a certain charm to this kind of show. I don’t know if it is the setting, the script, or something else, but Jeeves Takes Charge really does draw you in. Starting with the setting, the decision to retain the same broader stage design while switching out the portraits depending on the scene is an excellent one. It not only brings the audience in on jokes which could otherwise feel exclusionary, but the array of portraits provides become a witty shorthand for the kind of scene which is about to take place.
As a one-man show, Sam Harrison is unbelievable. Halfway through I turned to my friend to express my sheer shock—and confusion—at how Harrison had managed to remember all these lines. Turns out she wanted to say the same thing. Well, if you want to see a show where the star is clearly dedicated to the performance? This is it. Switching seamlessly between characters, Harrison never falters or tires of his role. He brings the same energy to the opening scene as he does to the final lines before the curtain drops.
Jeeves Takes Charge is directed by Hugh Wooldridge, with scenic design by Caite Hevner, lighting design by Tim Mitchell and sound design by Paul Groothuis.
Anyone looking for a classic London night at the theatre cannot afford to miss this. Charing Cross Theatre until 16 September 2026, before transferring to Mayflower Studios, Southampton, ahead of a UK tour in 2027.
Booking and full details: www.charingcrosstheatre.co.uk
