Hay Fever

A revival of Noël Coward's comedy Hay Fever, staged at Wyndham's Theatre in London, with Christine Baranski and Richard E. Grant in the leading roles.

Noël Coward's Hay Fever follows the Bliss family, who spend a weekend at their country home. Judith Bliss, a former stage actress who has recently retired, misses the applause, but her husband David, a reclusive novelist, and their children Sorrel and Simon are too absorbed in themselves to offer her an audience. Judith invites a young fan to stay, only to discover that each member of the family has also invited a guest, and all of them arrive at the same time.

This production is directed by Emily Burns and stars Christine Baranski, who makes her West End debut as Judith, opposite Richard E. Grant. The comedy turns on the household's sudden disorder, with parlour games, sharp exchanges and unwanted encores filling the stage.

The show is a comedy in the tradition of Coward's drawing-room plays and suits audiences who enjoy witty dialogue and ensemble acting. Wyndham's Theatre, the venue, regularly hosts shows and concerts in London.