Hay Fever Review – The Mill At Sonning
Set in a country house in Berkshire, Hay Fever is a comedy play written by Noël Coward. The play deals with the four eccentric members of the Bliss family and their eccentric behaviour. Judith Bliss is a retired famous West End actress, and her husband David churns out romance novels. Their grown-up children – Simon and Sorel – resolutely refuse to grow up. Each of the Blisses invite a guest to spend the weekend, unbeknownst to each other. And with this self-absorbed, eccentric family, what could possibly go wrong.
The unlucky guests invited are a career diplomat, a predatory society girl, a conventional sporty chap, and a sweet-natured flapper. As the evening wears on, each guest ends up paired up with the wrong person with dramatic effects. Over the top and theatrical, the Bliss family delight in pressing each other’s buttons provoking a reaction. Angered and perplexed by their hosts’ behaviour the guests all agree that they must leave in the morning. The family do not initially notice their departure, caught in a heated argument over David’s latest book.
Issy Van Randwyck and Nick Waring play Judith and David Bliss, with William Pennington and Emily Panes play Simon and Sorel. When everyone comes down for dinner the family put on a musical performance. Judith sings, Sorel plays the piano, David jumps in with some maracas and Simon suddenly appears with a trombone. They refuse to stop until everyone has joined in; imagine being at a dinner party with people like this.
Taking on the roles of the guests are Aretha Ayeh, Darrell Brockis, Daniel Fraser, and Beth Lilly. Aretha Ayeh has a spectacular moment at the end of Act Two where she loses her cool with the family. Despite being a predatory society girl, she can see this family is not worth it and calls them out on their outlandish behaviour. Beth Lilly was great as the shy and timid Jackie Coryton, invited by David to be his writing protégé.
The unsung hero of the play though is Joanna Brookes as housekeeper Clara who used to be Judith’s dresser. Presumably used to the family she has developed her own eccentric behaviour like announcing tea with a shout and bang on a gong. She breaks into song just as the rest of the family do, but with more of a Nancy from Oliver Twist vibe. Even when the guests arrive, she shuts the door in everyone’s face and is not reprimanded for it once.
I loved all the costumes that were created by Costume Designer Natalie Titchener. The 1920s was a very glamorous time and the flapper dresses were my favourites. Sorel’s opening pink dress paired with gold shoes was the one that stuck with me in particular. The set, an open plan room with a dining table, piano and a seating area remains the same throughout. With doors leading off to the house entrance, kitchen, library, garden, and a handful of steps leading upstairs. It’s simple but effective and well used for the two-day long plan.
Hay Fever is an insightful, comic look at a dysfunctional family oblivious to their ignorant behaviour. And it was a great chance to see the range that the actors have, to take on such a farcical script. If this sounds like a play that you’d enjoy book your ticket now and enjoy a two-course meal beforehand. I’d highly recommend their famous Beef Shin and Ale Pie with Olive Oil and Parsley Crushed Steamed Potatoes. The Mill At Sonning is the only theatre I will leave London for, repeatedly. You can see Hay Fever until 13 May before Gypsy starts its run from 24 May.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Photo Credit: Andreas Lambis
