Hay Fever
Classic comedy of British bad manners
The badly-behaved Bliss family get up to plenty of midsummer mischief in Noël Coward’s classic comedy Hay Fever at the Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch. The show runs from 26 September – 18 October and stars members of the Queen’s resident company of actor-musicians cut to the chase…
Hay Fever continues the 10th anniversary celebrations of cut to the chase… as the Queen’s marks a whole decade of repertory theatre from the UK’s only resident ensemble of actor-musicians.
With its rural summery setting, this saucy comedy is the perfect escape from all this gloomy rain! As the ever-so-eccentric Bliss family look forward to a glorious sunny weekend in the country, they discover all four of them have had exactly the same idea and invited a wholly unsuitable guest to stay. With sleeping arrangements sorted, the stage is set for a jolly party, but mostly at their visitors’ expense!
Written in 1922, Hay Fever was inspired by Coward’s experiences of parties hosted by American actress Laurette Taylor. It remains one of his most popular plays, with prominent productions including a run at the National Theatre in 1964 starring Maggie Smith and Edith Evans and in the West End in 2006 starring Dame Judi Dench.
Hay Fever is directed by Queen’s Theatre Artistic Director Bob Carlton and stars Claire Storey as Judith Bliss, Shaun Hennessy as David Bliss and new cut to the chase… members Michelle Long as Sorrel Bliss, Sam Kordbacheh as Simon Bliss and Laura Penneycard as Jackie Coryton. Other parts are played by Simon Jessop, Lindsay Ashworth, Oliver Beamish and Diana Croft.
Claire Storey and Shaun Hennessy starred in the last Queen’s production September in the Rain, Simon Jessop and Oliver Beamish last appeared in the Spring Season’s Twelfth Night, Lindsay Ashworth in A Slice of Saturday Night and Diana Croft in It’s a Fine Life! Sam Kordbacheh recently played Iago in Othello at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.
This production’s intricate set, designed by Mark Walters, captures the opulence of the 1920s, while lighting design is by Paul Stone.
“…a delicious comedy of fabulously bad manners.” The Mail on Sunday
The Queen’s is also hosting Noël Coward – An Extraordinary Life, a festival in the foyer celebrating Coward’s achievements in three special events: Noël Coward – A Life in Pictures from 29 September – 9 November, The Letters of Noël Coward… Over Lunch on 15 October and Noël Coward – A Musical Celebration on 28 October.
Hay Fever will be playing at the Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch from 26 September – 18 October. Tickets cost between £13.50 - £22 and are available from the Box Office on 01708 443333. For more information about the Queen’s Theatre, visit www.queens-theatre.co.uk
