Christine Baranski and Richard E Grant will take to the stage in a new production of Noël Coward’s irresistible comedy Hay Fever, which plays Wyndham’s Theatre this autumn.
Baranski will star as Judith Bliss and Grant plays David Bliss in the staging, which is directed by Emily Burns. Hay Fever marks Baranski’s West End debut and Grant’s return to the West End stage after 20 years. Further casting and creative team to be announced soon.
It’s LOATHESOME being looked after.
Last year, Judith retired from her life-on-stage. Already, she misses the applause. Idling away at their country home, the rest of the family – reclusive novelist husband David and failure-to-launch children Sorrel and Simon – are too self-involved to be a good audience. So, Judith invites a young fan as her guest for the weekend. But unbeknownst to her, each of the Blisses have a guest of their own arriving at the very same time. Completely unsuited to hosting and allergic to compromise, the house quickly erupts into a chaos of parlour games, put-downs and unrequested encores.
Baranski said: “I attended my first West End play as a student at Juilliard in 1971, so it’s rather a dream come true to perform at Wyndham’s Theatre in a Noël Coward play in the West End. I look forward to a life in London, a city I absolutely adore. I last performed on stage 20 years ago, and coincidentally, Richard E Grant last performed in the West End 20 years ago! Richard is so gifted, whip smart, and wickedly funny. I look forward to ‘tearing a passion to tatters’ with him alongside our brilliant director, Emily Burns. Hay Fever is a 101-year-old comedy of appalling manners. It requires quicksilver delivery and suave flamboyance. I hope it will be a delicious treat for audiences to spend time with this Blissful Bohemian family!”
Grant said: “Twenty-five years ago, I guest starred for a night in The Play What I Wrote at the beautiful Wyndham’s Theatre. I am delighted to return to the Wyndham’s stage (and maybe to a bigger dressing room) alongside the sensational Christine Baranski in Noël Coward’s delicious comedy, Hay Fever, which premiered in the West End 101 years ago (but who’s counting?). I love the theatre and am thrilled to return to it, and to be directed by the illustrious Emily Burns.”
From Wessex Grove and Gavin Kalin Productions, Hay Fever plays at Wyndham’s Theatre for a strictly limited season from September 22 to December 12, 2026. Tickets go on sale here from Friday, April 17 at 2pm.
Top image: Hay Fever artwork (image supplied)