Hay Fever (1984)
Directed by Leslie Lidyard
Performances: Weds 22th – Sat 25th February 1984, Bell Theatre
Contents
Introduction
The action takes place in the Hall of the Bliss's House at Cookham in June.
- Act I - Saturday Afternoon
- Act II - Saturday Evening
- Act III - Sunday Morning
There was a 15 minute interval between each Act.
Cast
- Simon Bliss - Jeremy Ward
- Sorel Bliss - Anne Orange-Bromehead
- Clara - Frances Walker
- Judith Bliss - Ruth Shettle
- Sandy Tyrell - Matthew Lyne
- Myra Arundel - Sharon Pidgeon
- Jackie Coryton - Laura Hussey
- Richard Greatham - John Brierly
- David Bliss - Don Gillate
Crew
- Stage Manager - Julie Howcutt
- Assistant Stage Managers - Carol Wheeler, Hilary Brewster, John Kidd & Richard Lilley
- Lighting Design - Brian Fretwell
- Lighting Operator - Richard Wood
- Sound Recording - Brian Fretwell
- Sound Operator - Alf Vaal
- Wardrobe Mistress - Iris Lenny
- Wardrobe Assistant - Pat Worsam
- Properties - David Hickman
- Prompt - Christine Page
- Set Construction - Nigel Howcutt
- Assistant set construction - Richard Lilley, John Kidd, Brian Fretwell, Vicky Smith & Peter Wickert
- Scenic Painter - Sharon Haywood
Reviews
Noel Coward's "Hay Fever".... which seems to have acquired the mantle of a modern classic, is about a weekend party in the 1920's at the Cookham home of the Bliss family.
....Leslie Lidyards production is enacted on a bilious, set that could pass for the waiting room at Crewe station which might account for the curiously waspish note that creeps into the proceedings.
The Blisses are like exotic butterflies, quarrelsome but without malice; but in the exchanges between Jeremy Ward and Ann- Orange-Bromehead, as Simon and Sorel, the edge is sometimes too cutting for comfort.
Ruth Shettle is grandly theatrical as Judith. Her whole life is a stage performance, and her simplest utterance is delivered as if to an invisible gallery. Don Gillate plays David, too, as a poseur in the grand manner, with a hint of tongue-in-the-cheek roguery.
The guests are a nicely assorted crew. Matthew Lyne is the blazered Sandy Tyrell, a good egg, but something of a silly ass, don'cher know?
Gallery
Reminiscences and Anecdotes
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See Also
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References
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