Christine Baranski and Richard E. Grant to star in 'Hay Fever' in the West End

Baranski and Grant will play Judith Bliss and David Bliss respectively in Coward’s comedy about an eccentric couple and their grown children, Simon and Sorel.

Tony Award winner Christine Baranski and Academy Award nominee Richard E. Grant will star in a new production of Noël Coward’s Hay Fever, which begins performances at Wyndham’s Theatre on 22 September running through 12 December.

Baranski and Grant will play Judith Bliss and David Bliss respectively in Coward’s comedy about an eccentric couple and their grown children, Simon and Sorel. When each family member invites an unexpected guest to their home for the weekend, the house quickly erupts into chaos.

Hay Fever marks Baranski's West End debut, while Grant returns to the West End for the first time in 20 years.

Baranski said: “I attended my first West End play as a student at Juilliard in 1971, so it's rather a dream come true to perform at Wyndham’s Theatre in a Noël Coward play in the West End. I look forward to a life in London, a city I absolutely adore.  I last performed on stage 20 years ago, and coincidentally, Richard E. Grant last performed in the West End 20 years ago! Richard is so gifted, whip smart, and wickedly funny. I look forward to “tearing a passion to tatters” with him alongside our brilliant director, Emily Burns. Hay Fever is a 101-year-old comedy of appalling manners. It requires quicksilver delivery and suave flamboyance. I hope it will be a delicious treat for audiences to spend time with this Blissful Bohemian family!”

Grant said: “25 years ago, I guest starred for a night in ‘The Play What I Wrote’ at the beautiful Wyndham’s Theatre. I am delighted to return to the Wyndham’s stage (and maybe to a bigger dressing room) alongside the sensational Christine Baranski in Noël Coward’s delicious comedy, Hay Fever, which premiered in the West End 101 years ago (but who’s counting?). I love the theatre and am thrilled to return to it, and to be directed by the illustrious Emily Burns.”

Further cast and creatives are to be announced.

Check back for Hay Fever tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Photo credit: Christine Baranski and Richard E. Grant. (Photos by Emilio Madrid and Pip Seed).