Parson’s Nose Theater invites audiences to a special Father’s Day celebration of one of the greatest comic writers of the 20th century, Sir Pelham Grenville “Plum” Wodehouse. With Lance Davis, the theater’s artistic director and one of Los Angeles’ veteran actors, at the helm, this performance promises to illuminate the life and wit of the man behind Jeeves and Wooster, The Blandings, and The Oldest Member golf stories.
A Life Shaped by Humor, Distance, and Imagination
Born in Guildford, Surrey in 1881, Wodehouse was raised in England by relatives while his parents lived abroad in Hong Kong. Though distant family relationships marked his youth, they helped spark the vibrant, eccentric characters that would define his career.
He attended Dulwich College, where he excelled in sports, classics, and writing for the school magazine. After a short stint at a bank, Wodehouse began publishing prolifically, with over 80 articles in just two years.
From London to New York and Hollywood
Wodehouse’s fascination with America led him across the Atlantic in 1904. Finding success in literary and theatrical circles, he wrote novels, short stories, and lyrics for musicals—collaborating with Jerome Kern and Guy Bolton on hits like Leave it to Jane and Oh, Lady! Lady!.
Following a financial loss during the 1929 stock market crash, he moved to Hollywood, where his wife Ethel May Wayman, a sharp negotiator, secured him a $2,000-a-week screenwriting gig. Though disillusioned with studio inefficiencies, the experience inspired many of his later works.
War-Time Controversy and Later Life in America
During World War II, Wodehouse was captured in France and interned by the Nazis. In a controversial turn, he recorded light-hearted radio broadcasts from Berlin—contracted pre-war by CBS—which many in England condemned as naïve at best, unpatriotic at worst.
Despite the backlash, Wodehouse continued to write, settling with Ethel in Quogue, Long Island, where they lived until his death.
“The Oldest Member” and the Charm of Golf Stories
One of Wodehouse’s lesser-known but delightful creations, The Oldest Member, features a golf club elder who spins cautionary tales of love, youth, and the game’s life lessons. These stories offer a humorous lens on human folly—perfect fare for a Father’s Day celebration.
Don’t Miss the Show—and the Podcast!
Join Lance Davis and the Parson’s Nose ensemble for a tribute filled with laughter, legacy, and literary brilliance. Also, don’t forget to check out Parson’s Nose Radio Theater, streaming globally with over 50 audio productions including works by Shakespeare, Dickens, Twain, and more.
Simply ask:
“Alexa, play Parson’s Nose Radio Theater.”
Support Parson’s Nose Theater
Parson’s Nose Theater is grateful for the generous support of institutions including:
- The Pasadena Community Foundation
- The California Arts Council
- The Los Angeles County Arts Commission
- The City of Pasadena Cultural Affairs Department
- The J. Mario Molina Family Foundation
- The Ann Peppers Foundation
- The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation
Help Keep the Curtain Raised
Support Parson’s Nose by subscribing via iTunes or Spotify—or consider making a donation to sustain this beloved community institution.
