London revival of Coward's Hay Fever brings together Richard E Grant and Christine Baranski

Noël Coward's 1925 comedy Hay Fever has returned to London's West End in a new production at Wyndham's Theatre, starring Richard E Grant and Christine Baranski. Though now regarded as one of Coward's most frequently staged works, the play's reception was initially mixed: London critics found its original debut amusing but noted a thin plot, while its first Broadway run flopped.

The story follows retired stage actor Judith Bliss, now a country hostess, whose family members each invite unexpected weekend guests without telling one another, plunging the visitors into an escalating, self-absorbed comedy of embarrassment.

Staging and performances

The production unfolds on a lavish set by Frankie Bradshaw, recreating the Bliss family's Berkshire country house with a style that mirrors Wyndham's own ornate interior. Richard E Grant brings his familiar energetic flair to narcissistic novelist David, while Will Close's Simon shifts from an affected artist to an eager suitor upon the arrival of the worldly Myra, played by Nancy Carroll. Charles Edwards plays a visiting diplomat whose composure is tested as he falls under Judith's spell.

Christine Baranski, whose character was inspired by real-life American actor Laurette Taylor, performs the role with polished received pronunciation rather than her own accent, which the review suggests slightly constrains the part's comic looseness, leaving some lines and jokes less effective than intended. By contrast, Ophelia Lovibond's Sorel stands out as the most engaging figure, bringing self-aware charm to the ensemble.

Director Emily Burns, known for her work in farce, has crafted several memorable sequences, including a silent breakfast-table scene set against a dramatic musical and visual backdrop. On the first of several press nights, the comic timing had not yet fully settled, but the review notes a stronger second act, suggesting the production will find its rhythm as the run continues.