The P G Wodehouse Society (UK) celebrates his life and works – it may be the largest literary society in England with about 1,100 members in the UK and overseas.
At this time of year one furrows the brow and frets over the provision of Christmas gifts for that person who has everything. Gift membership of the Society is a perennial favourite, see here, but this year there is a quirky new stocking filler: Blandings and Beyond. Robert Bruce’s map reveals the real locations that inspired Plum around London and across England.
As the Society’s website editor I field more than a few random enquiries from aficionados. A recurring theme is suggestions for readings at funerals and memorial services. The readings chosen for the service of dedication of Wodehouse’s memorial stone at Westminster Abbey in 2019 often provide inspiration. Much too long to copy but you can read the service sheet here.
People often forget Plum’s virtuosity as a lyricist. He wrote the words for more than two hundred numbers in musicals that played on both sides of the Atlantic. Here is You Never Knew About Me: lyrics, P G Wodehouse: music Jerome Kern and Guy Bolton; from Oh Boy! 1917. Hal Cazalet, step great-grandson of PGW, teams up with soprano, opera star, Sylvia McNair.
Brilliant. Thank you Christopher. It was great fun creating the map. Even greater fun hearing how much it is appreciated and how well it is selling.