Performed outside at St Paul Church (The Actors Church) Covent Garden 18th August 2026.
I had the pleasure to review this as part of a series of three shows that are being performed at various venues across the UK this summer. The Alfresco Actors company consists of two groups of four actors who perform three alternative plays depending on the date and location. This performance was by the actors in Troup two.
Jeeves and Wooster was originally written by PG Wodehouse and has been adapted by Oliver Stockley. As with all Jeeves and Wooster, it concerns the antics of Bertie Wooster played here by Shaun Mendum and his butler Jeeves played by Scott Slocombe. They are joined by Chioma Uma and Lowenna Morgelyn, who play a large number of parts to great effect.
The performance takes place outside St Pauls Church, which is a lovely setting on the grass with wooden park style benches provided. A compact wooden stage has been built for the show, which is used to have a great effect on the performance of the move between different locations.
All of the actors in the cast play instruments at various points during the performance, when jazz style songs are sung.
The basis is that Bertie is writing an alternative for Shakespeare Hamlet called Spamlet the Musical. He always gets into so very sticky situations, and Jeeves comes to his rescue, whether he deserves it or not.
The production is extremely slick with great time keeping, and the design of the stage is very clever using all the space on, behind, and under it. Lighting is provided using stand-alone battery powed units that sit on the front of the props. The props have all been chosen carefully.
At some points, an actor will come out into the audience, which adds to the show. Consideration needs to be given to sound from outside the area of the performance as it was possible to hear at times a performance in Covent Garden where outside street performers are about.
Four and a half Stars.
Reviewed by Simon Bell.
Theatre, Art and Film Reviews 
Leave a comment