Acclaimed American actress Christine Baranski is set to make her highly anticipated West End debut this year, starring alongside British actor Richard E Grant in a revival of Noël Coward's classic comedy, Hay Fever. The production will run at Wyndham's theatre in London from 22 September to 12 December, directed by Emily Burns, known for her praised work with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
A Dream Realised on the London Stage
Baranski, a two-time Tony award winner for best featured actress in a play, expressed her excitement, calling it "a dream come true." She first attended a West End play as a student at Juilliard in 1971 and has long admired London, a city she "absolutely adores." In the play, she will take on the lead role of Judith Bliss, a newly retired actor, while Grant portrays her novelist husband.
Star-Studded Cast and Creative Team
Baranski, renowned for her television roles in The Good Fight and The Gilded Age, described the 1925 play as a "101-year-old comedy of appalling manners" that demands "quicksilver delivery and suave flamboyance." She praised Grant as "whip-smart and wickedly funny," highlighting their dynamic partnership. Grant, returning to Wyndham's theatre after 25 years since a guest appearance in The Play What I Wrote, joked about hoping for "a bigger dressing room" this time.
This marks a significant return to theatre for Grant, who has recently been seen in supporting film roles such as in The Thursday Murder Club and Nuremberg. His last lead theatre role was in 2005 in Simon Gray's Otherwise Engaged at the Criterion theatre. Further casting for Hay Fever is yet to be announced, adding to the anticipation.
Historical Context and Recent Revivals
Hay Fever was last staged in London in 2012 at the Noël Coward theatre, with Lindsay Duncan as Judith Bliss and Kevin R McNally as her husband. The play is part of a recent surge in Noël Coward revivals, including productions like Fallen Angels at the Menier Chocolate Factory and Private Lives in Manchester, showcasing enduring interest in his work.
Baranski's Broadway credits include notable performances in Tom Stoppard's The Real Thing and Neil Simon's Rumors, earning her Tony awards. She has also appeared in Broadway comedies such as Hurlyburly and Boeing-Boeing, bringing a wealth of experience to this West End venture.
As the autumn season approaches, theatre enthusiasts eagerly await this blend of veteran talent and classic comedy, promising a memorable run in the heart of London's theatrical scene.
