Hay Fever

A small but appreciative audience enjoyed the antics of the dysfunctional Bliss family at their comfortable riverside home, during a summer’s intended quiet weekend which turns into bedlam, for each member has invited an unlikely guest, whilst omitting to inform each other or the staff. Total confusion and mishap is round every corner, with fast script and typical Coward clipped language.  Set when written in the 20’s  with costumes to match, and of course cigarette smoking probably at its height in society.

Egocentrics Sorel and Simon open, she casually lounging, black patterned  head scarf dangling, floating open kimono over black trousers, is reading aloud from a volume of poetry sent by an aspiring friend, he in tennis whites somewhat scruffy, sitting cross legged on the floor sketching. Good rapport between Hannah Attfield and Liam Banks as squabbling siblings. They are in a  light downstairs room with angled French Windows into a garden, down stage front door, towards the back stairs lead upstairs to the Japanese Room and study where self-absorbed David Bliss head of the family is trying to complete his latest novel.  To the other side a door leads to the kitchen from where a disgruntled housekeeper Clara, previously dresser to Judith appears and disappears with trays of tea, bread and butter, cakes etc plus crockery and answers the doorbell unceremoniously. Humming and dusting, maids cap across her forehead, dropping her h’s, this lovely stomping character was amusingly played by Rose Walker.

The set was designed by Dee Harvey and the team completed this with great eye to detail, dressed with numerous paintings and a wall hanging – various rugs, vases, plants, flowers, a dining table, chairs, drinks cabinet, low table with lighter, cigarette box, a barometer which falls off the wall, and an upright piano with music – other casual chairs around. So, with a fairly limited space now to work in the eight characters manoeuvred quickly and neatly with agility, nicely choreographed by Director Lyndsey Meer and together with the production team the performance ran smoothly, with both sound and lighting through the three acts.

Stephen Whitehead played David, probably the least eccentric of the family. He really didn’t seem to know he’d invited a sweet little Flapper Jackie Coryton ‘winsomely’ played by Katherine Fry – who just hated games, seemed to get herself engaged to Simon who loved everyone and had encounters in the library. A plum part has to be Judith, retired actress, who was totally OTT, performed by wide eyed Sandy Truman rather well in a Fenella Fielding deep sexy voice and over exaggerated dramatic gestures. The other three guests were a strange mix. Bianca Eichler created a vampire, who might even eat men for breakfast, an elegant Myra Arundel – she was  invited by young Bliss. Sorel went for the older man, a minor diplomat – well travelled, polite, solid  Richard Greatham portrayed by Gavin Nevett who also didn’t quite get the after-dinner game and got a little confused with Judith’s intentions. Lastly, arriving by car, was a young, tall, straight haired, gauche, sporty young man Sandy Tyrell who had met Judith, seen some of her productions and had fallen madly in love with her but had not realised she had a husband and there was going to be a houseful. Nicely played by Richard Smith. He came gallantly to the guests' rescue on Sunday morning, when they all just wanted to escape the outrageous goings on in the Bliss house and all made a hasty, relieved retreat.

Not easy to get right with huge volumes of script and business and to speak consistently in the Coward fashion, nevertheless a highly amusing, well played period piece. Costuming beautifully designed and co-ordinated by Gill Jenks – elegant evening wear, good accessories and a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon.

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