Hay Fever

 

Ensemble cast in the Bliss' home

Walnut Street Theatre is presenting Noel Coward’s Hay Fever through March 19, 2025, on its main stage. Gifted set designer Roman Tatarowicz has designed a palatial home with many exits and entrances for the actors. Hay Fever premiered in London’s West End in1925 and was a smash hit. It has had many revivals in the intervening years. Although today’s production is a bit dated, there are enough ridiculous situations presented to make the comedy down-right laughable. The first act takes place on a Saturday afternoon.  It introduces the members of the Bliss family and their plans to invite guests for the weekend. No one respects anyone else’s wishes and there is quite a bit of arguing about who should sleep in “The Japanese Room.” Act Two takes place Saturday evening. It is quite a bit more frantic, with Judith Bliss (Alicia Roper) switching men with her daughter Sorel (Anna Baily) and her son Simon Bliss, (Brandon O’Rourke), announcing an engagement to Jackie Coryton ( Ellie Mooney ) . In Act 3, guests all arise before the rest of the household and agree to escape before breakfast, leaving a tip for Clara  (Carlotte Northeast) the maid. The acting is commendable. There are a few scenes when the actors have to speak at the same time as if they were in a big argument. This is very well done.  In other scenes the actors have to keep a straight face while delivering a ridiculous line. They also  do this  well. For tickets or more information, visit WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster or call 215-574-3550.