Leave it to Psmith
A play
By P. G. Wodehouse and Ian Hay, based on novel of the same name.
First produced in London on the 29th September, 1930, at the Shaftesbury Theatre.
Synopsis
Not surprisingly, this play follows the plot of the book quite closely, so see Leave it to Psmith for more information and to compare the following differences: Lord Middlewick replaces Lord Emsworth and is a knowledgeable bibliophile rather than a bumbling old gent; Lady Constance (Lord E.'s sister) is replaced by Lady Middlewick; Freddie Bosham (not Threepwood) is in love with Phyllis Jackson, who is single; Eve does not know Phyllis; Joe Keeble is omitted; and the necklace has a different origin.
Dramatis personae
| Eustace, Lord Middlewick | an Earl, at Blandings Castle
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| Anastasia, Lady Middlewick | his wife
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| Freddie Bosham | the Earl's younger son, her stepson, in love with
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| Phyllis Jackson | a neighbour
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| Ronald Eustace Psmith | an adventurous young man
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| Eve Halliday | a young woman
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| Cynthia McTodd | her friend and wife of
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| Ralston McTodd | a temperamental poet
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| Aileen Peavey | another poet
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| Eddie Cootes | a crook
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| Rupert Baxter | his lordship's secretary
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| Ethelberta Fitzwiggin | a relative of the Earl
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| Agatha Crofton | a guest at Blandings
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| Viscount Chipstead | a guest at Blandings
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| Bellows | butler at Blandings Castle
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| Christopher Walderwick | member of the Morpheus Club
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| Gladys Rumbelow | a waitress at the Morpheus Club
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| a lift man | at Green park station
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Publishing Information
Published in Four Plays
An entertaining variation on the book. No doubt a professional dramatist could shed some light on the changes to certain characters - were they to fit the theatre company's ensemble, i.e. a part for all? PG has commented elsewhere on the stock types. The plot itself is simplified as would be expected for a stage performance of limited duration and an audience that might have dined early and well.