Written By
Noel Coward
Where and When
February 1934 @ The Women’s Institute Hall, Wimborne
The Plot
Hay Fever is one of Noel Coward’s most durable comedies, continuing to delight audiences with its astute observations on family relationships and rivalries. The action takes place in the house of the Bliss family over the course of a weekend. Judith Bliss, a retired actress, her writer husband David, and their two grown-up children, Simon and Sorel, have all privately invited guests for the weekend, unbeknownst to anyone else. As the guests arrive, it becomes clear that it is not them who will be the problem, but the family themselves. Although Judith has supposedly retired from the stage, the nightmare weekend becomes her own private play, and her family become the supporting actors. Over the top and theatrical in their actions, the Bliss family delight in winding each other up and provoking a dramatic reaction from each other. As the weekend wears on, each guest pairs off with the wrong person with dramatic effects. Confused and angered by the strange behaviour of the their hosts, the guests all agree that they must leave straight away. Creeping out of the house, they are unnoticed by the Bliss family who are, once again, engaged in a daft, passionate argument about David’s book. Although it is not packed with as many witty one liners as many of Coward’s plays are, Hay Fever provides a shrewd, farcical look at a dysfunctional family oblivious to their ill-mannered behavior.
Cast
- David Bliss – Maurice Brian
- Myra Arundel – Lilian Poulson
- Jackie Croyton – Rita M. Fairclough
- Sandy Tyrell – V. J. Fairclough
- Richard Greatham – Phil Bollen
- Sorel Bliss – Linda N. Small
- Simon Bliss – A. Paul Wicher
- Judith Bliss – Katherine Purchas
- Clara – C. E. Morris
Creative Team
- Producer – Leonard H. Mottram
- Set Design – H. M. Coles and G. R. Inkpen
- Prompt – Mary Brian
- Business Manager – V. G. Fairclough
Gallery
Reviews
Wimborne Dramatic Society Score Another Success
One long laugh from start to finish! Such was the general opinion of all who saw the Wimborne Dramatic Society’s presentation of Noel Coward’s sparkling comedy, Hay Fever, under the direction of Mr L. H. Mottram, at the W. I. Hall on Monday and Tuesday evenings. To say the performers acquited themselves well is but to put it mildly, for the general standard of the acting was not far short of a professional cast. There was little to pick and choose between the respective acting abilities of the artistes, each member being admirably adapted to his or her part.
The action of the play takes place in the hall of the Blisses’ House at Cockham in June. The Bliss family is composed of four extraordinary temperamental individuals. One moment they are on the verge of tearing one another limb from limb, and the next they are like gambolling lambs. The four members of the family, father, mother, son and daughter – each invite some one down to their cottage at Cockham for the weekend without having any general family consultation on the matter. Then the audience quickly receives enlightenment as to the characteristics of this family!
David the father is a novelist, and Judith the mother a retired actress who believes herself to be devastatingly intelligent and beautiful. Sorel and Simon, offspring of these two individuals are true ‘chips off the old block’ whose moods are as variegated as the colours of the chameleon.
The visitors arrive and chaos rapidly ensues. Sandy Tyrell, an athletic young man with a taste for boxing, comes at the invitation of Mrs Bliss, David has asked a self conscious young ‘flapper’ while Sorel’s and Simon’s respective guests are Richard Greatham, an elderly diplomat complete with top hat and frockcoat, and Myra Arundel, a woman of no mean experience.
The climax is brought about very speedily. Judith discovers Sorel and Tyrell kissing in the library, and a little later comes suddenly upon her husband in Myra’s ardent embrace, and to crown it all Simon bursts in and announces that he has become engaged to Jackie Coryton. A brief but hectic display of theatrical ‘atmospherics’ takes place, and then the Bliss family are as harmless as kittens again. This proves too much for the visitors, and next morning, during another family outburst, they take their departure.
Miss Katherine Purchas as Judith Bliss was a great success. Her impersonation of the temperamental actress, who is past her prime, but still believes herself to be irresistible, was wonderfully reaslistic. Another asset that Miss Purchas possesses is the ability modulate suitable her voice. Rita M. Fairclough, as the simpering flapper, gave a creditable performance. Her tete a tete with Greatham (Philip M. Bollen) was most hilarious and sidespittingly funny. Others in the cast were: Sorel Bliss. Linda M. Small; Simon Bliss, A. P. Whicher; Clara, C. E. Morris; David Bliss, Maurice Brian; Sandy Tyrell, V. J. Fairclough; Myra Arundel, Liliam Poulson.
The musical interludes were mainly composed of selections from Noel Coward’s melodies, supplied by W. G. Breah, wireless specialist, Wimborne. The scenery was designed and painted by H. M. Coles and G. R. Inkpen, who was also stage manager. The furniture was lent by courtesy of Lories, King Street, Wimborne. Mary Brian was at the prompt corner, while V. G. Fairclough acted as business manager.
In April the society will present The Last of Mrs Cheyney by Frederick Lonsdale.
The staging of Hay Fever, Noel Coward’s successful play at Wimborne on Monday and Tuesday evenings by the Wimborne Dramatic Society, under the direction of Mr. L. H. Mottram, resulted in a fine presentation. The acting throughout preserved the exceptionally high standard which is now looked for from the members of the society.
Miss Katherine Purchas, in the principal part of Judith Bliss, did some of her best work, while Linda M. Small, A. P. Whicher, and Philip M. Bollen, seen in the roles of Sorel Bliss, Simon Bliss and Richard Greatham respectively, are old favourites with Wimborne audences and handled their situations with experienced dexterity.
The other members of the cast who all did well, were; C. E. Morris (Clara), Maurice Brian (David Bliss), V. J. Fairclough (Sandy Tyrell), Lilian Poulson (Myra Arundel) and Rita M. Fairclough (Jackie Croyton).
The pretty scenery provided an elegant atmosphere for the modern setting, and reflected much credit on the designers, Miss H. M. Coles and Mr G. R. Inkpen. The musical interludes, mainly composed of selections from Noel Coward’s melodies, were supplied by Mr W. G. Breach. The stage manager was Mr Inkpen and Miss Coles was responsible for effects. The lighting was specially arranged by Mr R. H. Rodway, and the properties lent by members of the society. The prompter’s work was attended to by Mary Brian, and the business manager is Mr V. J. Fairclough.
At the conclusion of Tuesday evening’s performance, presentations were made to the artists, who were thanked by Mr Mottram for the hard work they had put in. Whilst expressing pleasure at the support forthcoming from the public, Mr Mottram said that they felt that such work as they were doing was an asset to the town, and he appealed for the support of the town in general.
The sixth public production of the society is to be The Last of Mrs Chesney by Frederick Lonsdale, and will be staged some time in April.