Hay Fever

Noel Coward is without doubt one of the most difficult playwrights to perform and direct. In spite of this the St Austin's Players came out on top on both counts in their rendition of this somewhat unfunny yet at the same time farcical play, aimed by Coward at the complete trivia of the mid nineteen twenties.The play has no plot as such, does not give the playgoer a chance to guess what the next line or movement will be as it is constantly changing shape, often at a complete tangent from the last line.

Here, however, was a performance of extreme quality and excellence, with all the cast working well together. Characters were established immediately and maintained throughout, interpreting the flavour of the Flapper Age, where no opinion, except one's own regarding personal choice, matters.

The Bliss family, led by Judith and David (Sue Murray and Steve Waite) are not at ease with each other, as she is yearning for her past life as an actress, a successful one in her own opinion, and he is interested in nothing other than his writing of obscure novels. Their teenage children, Sorel and Simon (Fi Welburn and Connagh Smith) gave superb portrayals of thoroughly spoilt and immature beings, revelling in their constant bickering and dislike of each other.

The family have each invited guests for the weekend much to the dismay of the rest, and so the plot (?) thickens. Judith has invited Sandy Tyrell (John deTute) a young boxer, tall, strong and handsome but totally devoid of personality and forever apologising. David has invited Jackie Coryton (Katy Ryan) a typically empty headed blonde of the period, Fi has introduced Richard Greatham (Michael Hamill) a refined English diplomat and Simon has asked Myra Arundel (Liz Brooks) a "vampire" who has designs on Simon and any other available male, but does not really show an interest in anyone except herself. Complications arise and each becomes involved with someone else's invitee until at last the guests slip away during a family confrontation. Peace and concord ( should it be Place de la Concorde ?) appears to be restored.

In between all the comings and goings, the scenes are interupted by the maid Clara (Jools Greenwood) who in her former days was Judith's dresser, an unusual character, not appearing to fit in with the family but living in her own private world and is only here as a favour to Judith.

The set, with excellent lighting which changed according to the mood of the moment, was a typical Art Deco designed furnished room which showed off the aspirations of the Bliss family at least to keep up with the Jones's.

Fr Tim Swiglehurst, the Director has indeed put much thought and hard work into this production in order to achieve such an excellent result, the final accolade being given by a small yet highly appreciative audience.

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