Hay Fever

Old Mill Theatre’s production of Hay Fever shows that Noël Coward is still a great seller, with this show, advertised as “the well-loved comic masterpiece”, all but sold-out before it opened.

Directed by award winning director Barry Park, this production features a superb set, designed and constructed by George Boyd. Clean, fresh and functional, the set captures the era very well, with effective lighting design by Mark Nicholson. There are some lovely costumes in this show, thanks to Merry Ford and assistants Jennifer Prosser and Dinah Zaikos. 

Coward’s strength lies in his characters, and this cast work hard to bring them to life. Hay Fever centres around the eccentric Bliss family, who each invite a guest to their country home for the weekend. Gail Lusted plays actress Judith Bliss in an effective, larger-than-life appearance. Peter Neaves brings great style to Judith’s husband David, a writer. Their adult children are played with aristocratic flippancy by Jackie Oates and Joseph Stevens. They are nicely kept in line by Sian Burgess, delightful as Judith’s former dresser turned maid-of-all-work.

Virginia Moore Price is gloriously sophisticated as Myra Arundel, Adam Poole works well as Richard Greatham. George O’Doherty is charming as potential toy-boy Sandy Tyrell, with Connie Wetherilt delightful as dim-witted but darling ingenue Jackie Coryton.

Pace is lovely and there is a good understanding of the style and era, so the comedy flows nicely.

A polished and pleasant little show that is being very well received.

Kimberley Shaw