Kay McLean Productions and Theatre Royal Bath Productions. Her Majesty's Theatre. 3 December 2014
Hay Fever was written by Sir Noel Coward earlier rather than later in his career in 1925. The great plays like Private Lives and Blithe Spirit were yet to come, and I don't feel that Hay Fever measures up. A comedy of manners concerning horror hosts and hapless house guests at the country estate of the ironically named Bliss family, it is linear in plot and often over hysterical or forced in presentation. The dialogue is not dated, but unfortunately, what were ground-breaking characters satirising the eccentricity of the upper crust in 1925 are now stereotype, and director Lindsay Posner provides an entertaining rendition but nothing new.
There is a Catch 22 with touring shows. You need a star to attract sales but the price goes up to pay for the star and the first class set, which hurts sales. Productions of Hay Fever in the old dart since 2006 have starred the likes of Judi Dench and Diana Rigg in the pivotal role of eccentric family mom Judith Bliss. The Australian leg of the tour has the petite Felicity Kendal famous for her role in the 1970s British sitcom The Good Life, with which she has been subsequently closely identified with.
And the star does a star turn. Kendal's nuances and characterisations as the exasperated mother of two, and wife of a man less than one, are a delight. You can feel the experience of a life in the craft, which, interestingly, includes touring Shakespeare with her parents in India as part of the family business. The rest of the cast are of a very high standard and perform admirably, each having an opportunity to show their character at their worst through amusing expressions. Certainly a highlight of the production is the sheer physicality of the action. Professional touring shows arriving here after a significant run are always well-oiled machines, and this one is exemplary. Set and costumes by Peter McKintosh are rich and detailed.
Seats go for at least $125 on Saturday and it's not good value unless you crave a viewing of Felicity Kendal. Otherwise, save your dough for the Festival.
David Grybowski
When: 3 to 7 Dec
Where: Her Majesty's Theatre
Bookings: bass.net.au
Photography by Nobby Clark
