Macfadyen And Mangan To Star In Jeeves & Wooster PERFECT NONSENSE!

In October this year, two of literature's best-loved characters, the charmingly incompetent Bertie Wooster and his unflappable valet Jeeves will be brought to life in a new comedy by brothers Robert and David Goodale. Sean Foley will direct Matthew Macfadyen and Stephen Mangan as the legendary duo at the Duke of York's Theatre from 30 October 2013 with opening night on 12 November.

Based on and adapted from the established literary works of P.G. Wodehouse, Perfect Nonsense will play Richmond Theatre from 10 - 19 October and Brighton Theatre Royal from 22 - 26 October. Today, producers released images of Macfadyen and Mangan as Jeeves and Wooster. Please see the link at the end of the release.

Director Sean Foley said: 'When the Goodale Brothers' exceptional script, based on P.G Wodehouse's quintessential English double act of Jeeves and Wooster, was shown to me, I immediately knew I wanted to do it. Wodehouse is one of the greatest, if not the greatest, English comic writer, and the challenge of putting his finest creation on stage for the very first time is a tremendously exciting one. Fortunately, in a show where casting really is everything, I am thrilled to invite Matthew Macfadyen to give us his Jeeves, and Stephen Mangan to show us his Wooster... We all aim to create a wonderful, funny, evening in the theatre that will leave existing fans of Wodehouse, and a new generation of enthusiasts, positively gruntled.'

Matthew Macfadyen said: 'This play from Bobby and David Goodale is an absolute hoot - a wonderfully crafted and joyful bit of perfect nonsense and I am delighted to be a part of it. I'm also especially pleased to be working again with the supremely talented Messrs Mangan and Foley.'

Stephen Mangan said: 'I am ridiculously excited at the prospect of playing the mentally negligible Bertie Wooster on stage and can hardly wait to stagger into the glorious sunshine of Wodehouse's world. And with Jeeves, in the shape of Matthew Macfadyen by my side, what could possibly go wrong?'

Matthew Macfadyen is a BAFTA award-winning English actor, known for his roles as MI5 Intelligence Officer Tom Quinn in the BBC television drama series Spooks, Mr. Darcy in Pride & Prejudice and Daniel in the Frank Oz comedy Death at a Funeral. Matthew starred alongside Keira Knightley and Jude Law in Joe Wright's adaptation of Anna Karenina in 2012. His stage work also includes Nicholas Hytner's National Theatre production of Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2, starring as Prince Hal opposite Michael Gambon's Falstaff; and the Vaudeville Theatre production of Private Lives, starring opposite Kim Cattrall for director Richard Eyre.

Stephen Mangan is best known for roles including Guy Secretan in the television series Green Wing, Dan Moody in I'm Alan Partridge, Sean Lincoln in Episodes and holistic detective Dirk Gently in Dirk Gently. He has also appeared in numerous stage productions including Birthday and The People Are Friendly at the Royal Court and The Norman Conquests at the Old Vic and Circle in the Square Theatre in New York.

Sean Foley is an award-winning actor, writer and director. He co-founded The Right Size, creating over ten original comedies for the theatre including the Olivier Award-winning and Tony-nominated production of The Play What I Wrote (Best Comedy 2002) and Do You Come Here Often? (Best Entertainment 1999). Theatre credits include: the multi Olivier-nominated The Ladykillers (Liverpool Everyman, Gielgud Theatre, UK Tour), Ben Hur (Watermill Theatre/Fiery Angel), What The Butler Saw(Vaudeville Theatre/MJE Productions), The Painkiller (Lyric Belfast), The Critic/The Real Inspector Hound (Chichester Festival Theatre) and The Armstrong and Miller Show Live UK Tour. Radio includes: The Remains of Foley and McColl, Foley And McColl Again and Foley And McColl: This Way Up (BBC Radio 4). Television includes: Foley And McColl: This Way Up (BBC2).

Foley's production of A Mad World, My Masters, opens at the Royal Shakespeare Company this spring. Alongside this, he is also writing a new version of Amadée for Birmingham Rep and a comedy for television based on The Pickwick Papers for Kudos/BBC.

Like many siblings growing up together, writers Robert and David Goodale enjoyed their own, very particular brand of humour. As children they created a range of ridiculous characters that seamlessly evolved into members of their extended family. It was only later that they discovered that P.G. Wodehouse had beaten them to it, in creating an entirely credible world full of even more deliciously bonkers characters.

As adults entering the real world, Robert became an actor, while David pursued a career as a documentary filmmaker, but both remained committed to making people laugh. Two years ago they were encouraged to combine their comic talents to adapt P.G. Wodehouse's The Code of the Woostersfor the stage. They finally put pen to paper, and several drafts later, with the blessing of the Wodehouse Estate, Perfect Nonsense was born.

Perfect Nonsense will be produced in the West End by Mark Goucher and Mark Rubinstein.

Tickets are now on sale.

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