Jeeves at Sea - Darlington Theatre Players

Reviewed by Kate O'Sullivan

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Darlington Theatre Players’ Jeeves at Sea offers an enjoyable afternoon of P. G. Wodehouse whimsy, buoyed by an enthusiastic cast who clearly have a lot of fun with the material. Though the production occasionally struggles with clarity and pacing, the charm and commitment onstage ensure a light-hearted community-theatre romp.

At the centre of the show is Patrick Derrig’s delightfully steady Jeeves. Derrig strikes the ideal balance between the unflappable, hyper-competent valet and the dry, eye-rolling straight man who quietly battles the antics of his employer. His presence grounds the production, offering a calm pivot around which the others spin.

Jack Riches brings tremendous energy to Bertie Wooster - perhaps, at times, too much. His frenetic pace, extreme reactions, and breathless delivery often swept past key lines before the audience could catch them, especially noticeable for the audience of the matinee. While farce thrives on pace, several jokes were lost to speed and diction, and beginning at such a heightened level left Riches little room to escalate when Act II increases the stakes.

Dominic Depiazzi is a clear audience favourite, clearly relishing the script’s opportunities to play multiple incarnations of Crumpet. His distinct physical and vocal shifts keep each version entertaining and recognisable without tipping into gimmickry.

Therese Cruise, as Minerva Pilbeam, delivers crisp era-appropriate diction and clear character choices, ensuring her scenes land cleanly. Shivas Lindsay’s Count von Deitrichstein is wonderfully physical and full of comedic flair; although the accent occasionally wandered, the performance remained spirited and fun. Natalie Wiles, as Stella, provides a steady and enjoyable presence. She functions effectively as a foil to the more flamboyant characters while still savouring the moments when her own plans come into play. Her performance adds nuance to the ensemble and helps anchor several key scenes.

A little more theatrical world-building would have been welcome at times. The play spans a series of moments aboard a yacht, but without supporting lighting or soundscape to help signal the passage of time, scenes somewhat blur together from a time perspective. We also occasionally lost some of the reactions of characters due to them being staged at opposing sides of the wide Marloo Theatre stage to the main action. A subtler design approach could have strengthened the storytelling and helped the audience follow the unfolding chaos.

Costuming largely supports the period and playful tone of the piece. The characters’ wardrobes help establish their personalities and social standings with ease. The wig used for Crumpet, however, sometimes appeared noticeably “wig-y,” and his formalwear - specifically the slightly too-short trousers - felt a touch out of period. These details stand out mostly because the rest of the costuming is cohesive and effective in reinforcing the production’s world.

Despite occasional clarity issues, Jeeves at Sea is carried by the cast’s enthusiasm and the enduring charm of Wodehouse’s world. It’s a spirited production that offers an enjoyable outing - especially for those who appreciate classic British comedy delivered with heart.

Reviewer Note: Kate has previously worked with members of this cast and crew. Tickets for this review were provided by the theatre company.