The Stage

Hay Fever

Published Tuesday 8 July 2008 at 13:15 by Natalie Anglesey

Written in just three days, Coward’s comedy of bad manners, was an instant success when first performed in 1925.

The playwright himself admitted that it had no plot and remarkably little action, so even more reason why first-rate direction and performances are necessary to complement Coward’s scathing wit.

This new production, with Greg Hersov at the helm has some delightful touches, but the first act would benefit from a quickening of pace. Yet he cleverly circumnavigates the problems of staging comedy in-the-round, with the help of Ashley Martin-Davies who has designed a raised, curtained platform at one end, with the audience sitting in a horse-shoe arena.

Exchange favourite, Ben Keaton and Belinda Lang, play the eccentric hosts of this bizarre weekend in the country where rudeness is a prerequisite. Lang looks suitably elegant as retired actress Judith Bliss flirting outrageously with her guests. There’s a touch of early Gertie Lawrence in her London accent contrasted with the RP of her theatrical performances.

Fiona Button is their spoiled daughter Sorel and there’s an exuberant performance from Chris New as her love-struck brother Simon. The other guests are led by stylish Lysette Anthony, who captures the bitchy Myra and the period superbly.

Simon Treves, gives a beautifully understated performance as diplomat Richard Greatham. Simon Bubb, looking like a young John Cleese, is Sandy, Dorothea Myer-Bennett is the unfortunate Jackie and Tessa Bell-Briggs cleverly makes a mark and wins a round of applause as Clara the housekeeper.