Everything you need to know about Hay Fever

Posted on 15 Jul 2026

Unlike the pesky pollen allergy, this is one case of [*Hay Fever*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/hay-fever-tickets) you'll definitely want to catch. **Noël Coward**'s gloriously chaotic comedy returns to London in a sparkling new production at [The Old Vic](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/old-vic-theatre-london), bringing together two bona fide screen legends for one of the biggest theatrical events of the season. Oscar nominee **Richard E. Grant** and two-time Tony Award winner **Christine Baranski** (making her long-awaited West End debut) lead a dream cast in Coward's razor-sharp comedy of manners, where one disastrous weekend in the countryside spirals into absolute mayhem. Whether you're a lifelong Coward fan or have never seen one of his plays, here's everything you need to know before taking your seat. ### **What is Hay Fever about?** The play follows the Bliss family, a wonderfully self-absorbed collection of artists who treat everyday life like a never-ending theatrical performance. Retired actress Judith Bliss, her novelist husband David and their grown-up children Simon and Sorel all secretly invite guests to stay for the same weekend without telling one another. Four unsuspecting visitors arrive expecting a peaceful escape to the countryside. Instead, they're thrown headfirst into a whirlwind of dramatic declarations and spectacularly awkward social encounters. ### **The history of Hay Fever** When Hay Fever premiered in 1925, Noël Coward was only 25 years old. Remarkably, he reportedly wrote the play in just three days. Some critics initially dismissed it for having very little plot, but audiences couldn't have cared less. The sparkling dialogue, larger-than-life characters and relentless comic energy made it an instant success. 101 years later, it's still one of Coward's most frequently performed plays. So the critics aren’t always right! ### **Christine Baranski makes her West End debut** Best known for scene-stealing performances in *The Good Wife*, *The Gilded Age* and the [*MAMMA MIA!*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/mamma-mia-tickets) films, Baranski actually began her career in theatre, winning two Tony Awards before becoming one of television's most recognisable faces. Despite her extraordinary stage career in America, she's never appeared in a West End production until now. Judith Bliss feels like the perfect role for Baranski’s London debut. Witty, glamorous, dramatic and deliciously over-the-top, it's hard to imagine a character better suited to Baranski's razor-sharp comic delivery. She's also no stranger to Noël Coward, having previously performed in productions of *Private Lives* and *Blithe Spirit*!

### **Richard E. Grant returns to the West End** Beloved for everything from *Withnail & I* and *Can You Ever Forgive Me?* to *Saltburn*, Grant returns to the West End for the first time in more than two decades. Known for his wonderfully expressive performances and impeccable comic instincts, he's the ideal match for Baranski, promising a stage partnership packed with kooky charm. ### **Who is Noël Coward?** Writer, actor, composer, director and performer, Coward became synonymous with sparkling wit and dry humour. His plays, including *Private Lives*, *Present Laughter*, *Blithe Spirit* and *Design for Living*, continue to be revived around the world almost a century after they were written. Hay Fever perfectly captures everything audiences love about Coward: fast-paced dialogue, social satire, and a cast of eccentric personalities. ### **Has Hay Fever been adapted for the screen?** It depends what size screen you're talking about! While Hay Fever has appeared on television over the years, it has never enjoyed the kind of blockbuster film adaptation that other classic plays have received. ### **What can audiences expect?** With Christine Baranski making her long-awaited West End debut alongside Richard E. Grant's welcome return to the London stage, this production promises to be one of the theatrical highlights of the year. If you're after an evening of sophisticated comedy, unforgettable performances and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, this is one bout of Hay Fever that's well worth catching. ### **Key dates** Hay Fever stars Christine Baranski and Richard E. Grant and plays at The Old Vic from 22 September until 12 December 2026.