Normally I’d only reminisce about Edward Duke on the anniversary of his birth (June 17), but ‘tis the season of my “Jeeves” reflections, ignited this year by the spectacularly long-overdue revival of Edward’s Jeeves Takes Charge stage frolic.
At the time I saw it, JTC was billed as a “one-man, two-act, 12-character, award-winning comedy tour de force.” Now, the new adaptation lists 22 characters, managed nimbly (I imagine) by Australian heartthrob Sam Harrison in three sold-out performances, February 11–12, at London’s Theatre at the Tabard, Chiswick.
 |
| Sam Harrison |
It is thanks to the P.G. Wodehouse Society of U.K. (and X/Twitter knowing all about my interests) that I discovered this revival. Following all the rabbit holes of social media, I also discovered that Edward’s IMDb page had been (lovingly, respectfully, and I assume accurately) updated.
The biggest treat of all was discovering the archive of original publicity photography for Edward’s “cheap little show” when it landed at New York’s Roundabout Theatre in 1983.
Only a sample here; credit to Martha Swope, photographer; Billy Rose Theatre Division, New York Public Library Digital Collections, 1983.
 |
| Edward Duke as Bertie Wooster |
 |
| Edward Duke as Jeeves |
Thank you so much for keeping Edward's memory alive. I met him when "Jeeves Takes Charge" was on tour in Toronto during the late 1980s and we remained friends until he passed away. I was rereading yesterday several of the letters he sent me many years ago and decided to google his name this morning. What a pleasant surprise to discover your blog and the entries describing your encounters, as well as your continuing fondness for him. Edward was, and will always be, larger than life.
ReplyDeleteBest regards,
David