Richard E Grant and Christine Baranski lead Coward’s chaotic country house comedy
A new production of Noël Coward's "Hay Fever" is running at Wyndham's Theatre, featuring Richard E Grant and Christine Baranski. The play follows a retired actress and her bohemian family whose members all invite surprise guests for a weekend, resulting in social embarrassment and theatrical chaos. The 1925 comedy relies heavily on delivery rather than plot, as it centres on a family that is "artificial to the point of lunacy".
The cast includes Grant as a vain novelist, Baranski as the retired actress Judith Bliss, Will Close as the pretentious artist Simon, Nancy Carroll as the seductress Myra, and Charles Edwards as a visiting diplomat. Director Emily Burns stages the production on a sumptuous set with corniced ceilings and French windows. The reviewer notes that Grant delivers characteristic vigour and Ophelia Lovibond emerges as particularly vital, but Baranski's accent constrains her performance and comic timing needs refinement. The production runs until 12 December.
- Production shows promise with strong cast but comic timing still settling.
- Ophelia Lovibond emerges as the vital standout performer.
- Runs until 12 December at Wyndham's Theatre.
New here? Start with this
"Hay Fever" is a classic 1925 comedy by Noël Coward about a retired actress and her bohemian family living in a country house. Each family member secretly invites a guest for the weekend, leading to social embarrassment and theatrical chaos.
The play is celebrated for its witty dialogue and the demands it places on its cast rather than for traditional plot complexity. It is a showcase for skilled comic acting and remains frequently revived in British theatre.
The current production at Wyndham's Theatre stars Richard E Grant and Christine Baranski in the leading roles. It runs until December 2026.
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by The Guardian as “Hay Fever review – Richard E Grant and Christine Baranski host Coward’s country house shenanigans”.