Christine Baranski and Richard E. Grant star in a West End revival of Noël Coward’s Hay Fever at Wyndham’s Theatre, running through December 12, 2026. Directed by Emily Burns, the production brings the eccentric Bliss family back to the London stage for a limited season exploring theatrical artifice and bad manners.
Noël Coward’s 1924 comedy of manners returns to the West End with a cast anchored by two screen veterans making notable milestones in their stage careers. The production opened with press nights following a sequence of rehearsals and preview performances, with Baranski putting the work of delivering Coward’s dialogue at the centre of her preparation for the production’s first performances.
Christine Baranski and Richard E. Grant Lead the Bliss Family at Wyndham’s Theatre
The staging marks the West End debut for Christine Baranski, who steps into the role of retired actress Judith Bliss. The company also includes Helena Antoniou, Charlotte Avery, Alan Drake, and Shaun Mendum.
Performers Confront Coward’s Century-Old Script and Verbal Demands
Critical reception of the revival addresses the challenge of staging a work that is now a century old. Baranski described the verbal precision and speed required for the part, connecting the engagement to her theatrical training at Juilliard. Critics observed that her performance maintains a technically sound received pronunciation while capturing the character’s erratic shifts.
“you’re artificial to the point of lunacy.”
Myra Arundel, via City AM
Wyndham’s Theatre Sets December Closing Date for Limited Season
Produced by Wessex Grove and Gavin Kalin Productions, the limited engagement is scheduled to run at Wyndham’s Theatre until December 12, 2026.