An actor who graced our television screens in the hit TV series Jeeves captivated audiences at the New Wolsey Theatre this weekend. 

Actor Robert Daws had the audience eating out of his hand in Wodehouse in Wonderland on Friday night. This one-man play brought to life the story of P.G. Wodehouse, author of the beloved Jeeves comic short stories and novels. 

Daws had himself played the role of the eccentric Tuppy Glossop in the hit TV series Jeeves and Wooster during the 1990s, starring Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie. 

Ipswich Star: Robert Daws sparkled in this one-man play. Image: Pamela Raith PhotographyRobert Daws sparkled in this one-man play. Image: Pamela Raith Photography (Image: Pamela Raith Photography)

Ipswich Star: Much of the play takes the form of Wodehouse's letters to his beloved stepdaughter, Snorkles. Image: Pamela Raith PhotographyMuch of the play takes the form of Wodehouse's letters to his beloved stepdaughter, Snorkles. Image: Pamela Raith Photography (Image: Pamela Raith Photography)

Daws brought that same, public-school charm and genial humour to the New Wolsey stage on Friday night. 

“There isn’t actually much footage of him, and people always said that in reality he was a very reticent and shy figure,” says Daws. “So, this is very much my take on Wodehouse, rather than an impersonation of him.”  

The ‘action’ takes place in Wodehouse’s office in Long Island in the 1950s.  

Other than a few off-stage barks from Wodehouse’s beloved Pekingese, Daws’ is the only voice the audience hears.

Wodehouse’s ebullient personality commands the stage, as he suffers through the earnest questions of his American would-be biographer and reads his letters to his beloved stepdaughter, Leonora (or ‘Snorkles’, who he adopted within weeks of meeting her, aged 11). 

Ipswich Star: The second half of Wodehouse in Wonderland recalls some of Wodehouse's more painful memories. Image: Pamela Raith PhotographyThe second half of Wodehouse in Wonderland recalls some of Wodehouse's more painful memories. Image: Pamela Raith Photography (Image: Pamela Raith Photography)

However, the play takes on a darker tone in the second act. The play takes its title from a now lost diary Wodehouse kept when he was sent to a Nazi internment camp during the Second World War. 

Wodehouse recalls these painful memories to Leonora - and in doing so, reveals a tragic twist in the story.

“The Germans manipulated Wodehouse into making what became known as the ‘Berlin broadcast’,” explained Daws. “This was then used for propaganda purposes and caused huge upset back in England.  

“He later referred to it as his great shaming.” 

Wodehouse in Wonderland concluded its run at the New Wolsey Theatre on March 18.