Many know PG Wodehouse, as a novelist, humourist and creator of the loveable, infamous characters Bertie Wooster and Jeeves. Despite never having set foot in India, PG has millions of Indian fans, spanning multiple generations. Books clubs have been started in his name, and many book lovers boast of owning his entire collection in their personal libraries. There are also incidents of students reading his books to improve their English as part of competitive exam prep. Yet, what many do not know is that PG had an entire other career, writing winning lyrics for over 25 hit Broadway musicals in America.
His step-great-grandson, British singer, actor and composer Hal Cazalet, is now taking PG’s Broadway legacy to audiences around the world. Cazalet narrates PG’s foray into musical theatre, in the format of a lively, heart-warming one-man musical act, written and directed by Hugh Wooldridge, and with the talented Simon Beck on the piano.
Titled ‘Play on Words’, the compact one-hour act was recently brought to Goa by the Serendipity Arts Festival. The show was performed for an intimate audience against the backdrop of the warm, welcoming, and beloved heritage home, Solar Loiola Pereira, in Benaulim.
Intimate settings forge a unique connection between performers and audiences. Through song and storytelling, Cazalet walked the audience through the milestone moments in PG’s life, as well as the work of other iconic Broadway creators. Affectionately referring to PG as ‘Plum’, Cazalet intertwined these musical delights with reimagined conversations between PG and his industry peers, and his spirited wife, Ethel. A black and white photograph of PG Wodehouse stood quietly in the background, as the performance unravelled.
Born in 1881, PG ventured into Broadway in the 1900s. A little online research reveals that several of PG’s books were turned into Broadway musicals, for which he also penned the lyrics. Cazalet performed the catchy ‘O Gee or Joy’ from the musical Rosalie, which went on to be a hit song. Today, it still collects views on YouTube. Cazalet’s rendition of the hilarious ‘We’re Crooks’ showcased the timelessness of PG’s lyrical genius. The song is a satirical take of a crook’s disdain for supposedly legitimate professions on Wall Street and in politics. A hundred years on the lyrics are still relevant!
As the evening progressed, the audience got to hear favourites like ‘On the Street Where You Live’ (My Fair Lady), which came after PG’s time. Cazalet also rattled off the names of several Russian composers at break-neck speed in a delightful song about, well, Russian composers. The evening concluded with the soothing ‘Land Where The Good Songs Go’, with masterful lyrics penned by PG.
The energetic performance was followed by free flowing conversations between the audience and cast. Cazalet shared some of his own personal experiences of engaging with his family legacy, while audience members talked about the influence of PG’s writings on multiple generations in their families.
“I’m thrilled that Serendipity Arts Festival chose to bring these class acts to heritage homes in South Goa. It was a pleasure hosting ‘Play on Words’ at Solar Loiola Pereira,” shared Omar De Loiola Pereira, a prominent vocalist, guitarist and musical director based in Goa.
Some entertainment has universal appeal, and ‘Play On Words’, falls in this category. A tween and teen in the audience seemed to be as captivated as the septuagenarians in the room. We need more of these rare, international gems coming to amchem Goem, where they will always find an eager, engaged audience.
(The writer is a freelance writer, blogger, and digital interview host based in Goa.)