Get to know the West End cast of 'Hay Fever'

The incredible all-star company of Noël Coward's comedy includes Christine Baranski, Richard E. Grant, Charles Edwards, and Ophelia Lovibond.

Summary

• Noël Coward's Hay Fever is getting a major West End revival
• The cast includes American star Christine Baranski and Richard E. Grant
• It also features Charles Edwards; Nancy Carroll and Ophelia Lovibond

The West End revival of Noël Coward’s comedy Hay Fever looks set to be utter bliss thanks to its incredible star-studded cast. The show is playing at London’s Wyndham’s Theatre this autumn, directed by Emily Burns.

The story centres on the bohemian Bliss family, who compete in a secret game to unsettle their weekend guests. It’s really a chance for this eccentric, artistic clan to playact and challenge social convention, all while amusing themselves and each other.

Get to know the fantastic Hay Fever cast ahead of your trip to this hugely anticipated production.

Book Hay Fever tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Christine Baranski

The American star of stage and screen plays matriarch Judith Bliss, a retired actress. The multi-award-winning Baranski has an impressive theatre history, ranging from Sondheim shows like Sweeney Todd and Follies to Tom Stoppard’s The Real Thing and Neil Simon’s Rumours. She is also renowned for screen work such as The Good Wife, The Good Fight, Cybill, The Gilded Age, Chicago, and Mamma Mia!.

Richard E. Grant

Grant plays Judith’s novelist husband David. His stage work includes My Fair Lady, The Importance of Being Earnest, and The Play What I Wrote, while his film work includes the iconic Withnail and I, as well as Saltburn, Gosford Park, and his Oscar-nominated turn in Can You Ever Forgive Me?. He’s also appeared in TV shows like The Other Bennet Sister, Game of Thrones, and The Scarlet Pimpernel.

Nancy Carroll

Carroll plays Myra Arundel, a vampish guest invited by the Blisses’ son Simon. Her acclaimed, wide-ranging stage work includes her Olivier-winning performance in After the Dance, plus Arcadia, Hamlet, The Cabinet Minister, Betrayal, Closer, and Marjorie Prime. Her TV projects include The Diplomat, Dalgleish, The Crown, and Call the Midwife, and her film work includes F1, Iris, and An Ideal Husband.

Will Close

Close plays the impish Simon Bliss. He charmed audiences – and won an Olivier – playing Harry Kane in Dear England, and has also appeared in Porn Play, Bad Altitude, Man Mountain, 1599, and Golem. His film projects include Falling and Beware Boiúna, and his TV work includes The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾, Silent Witness, Death in Paradise, Buffering, and Dalgliesh.

Charles Edwards

Edwards plays another hapless guest, diplomat Richard Greatham. His extensive theatre work includes Best of Enemies, The Line of Beauty, Absolute Hell, Much Ado About Nothing, All My Sons, The King’s Speech, This House, Copenhagen, and The 39 Steps. On screen, his projects include Elsinore, Philomena, The Witches, The Lord of the Rings – The Rings of Power, The Crown, Downton Abbey, and Sherlock.

Ophelia Lovibond

Lovibond plays Sorel, Simon’s equally mischievous sister. Her theatre work includes The Hills of California, The Effect, The Libertine, Nightfall, and The Bay at Nice. Her film projects include Rocketman, Guardians of the Galaxy, Nowhere Boy, and No Strings Attached, while her numerous TV credits include W1A, Mobland, This England, Minx, The Lady, Trying, Elementary, and Hooten & The Lady.

Ash Hunter

Hunter plays Judith’s sporty fan and weekend guest Sandy Tyrell. His theatre work includes Hamilton, Grenfell: In the Words of Survivors, Wuthering Heights, Pitcairn, The Meat Kings! (Inc.) of Brooklyn Heights, A Clockwork Orange, and Gravity. On screen, he’s appeared in films such as The Thief and Intrigo: Dear Agnes, and TV shows like Alma’s Not Normal, Bridgerton, Harlots, and The Secret Agent.

Lucy Karczewski

Karczewski plays flapper and guest Jackie Coryton. She was Olivier nominated for her incredible West End debut performance in Stereophonic. Her other stage work includes The Seagull, and, while training at LAMDA, The Caucasian Chalk Circle, A Monster Calls, and The Glass Menagerie. She will soon be making her TV debut in the Peaky Blinders sequel.

Jo McInnes

McInnes plays Clara, Judith’s dresser-turned-housekeeper. Her theatre work includes 4.48 Psychosis, Coram Boy, Romeo and Julie, Medea, The Corn is Green, The House of Bernada Alba, The Jungle, and Uncle Vanya. She has also appeared in TV shows like This England, Material Girl, Spooks Afterlife, Material Girl, and Five Daughters, and films such as Me and Orson Welles, Birthday Girl, and The New Romantics.

Book Hay Fever tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Main photo credit: The company of Hay Fever. (Photos by Oliver Rosser). Inset: The cast in rehearsal. (Photos by Marc Brenner)