Acclaimed US actress Christine Baranski is poised to make her long-awaited West End debut, taking on a leading role in a revival of Noel Coward's timeless comedy, Hay Fever. Baranski, celebrated for her performances in The Good Wife, Mamma Mia, and The Gilded Age, will portray retired actress Judith Bliss in what is billed as a "stinging new production."
A Dream Realised on the London Stage
Baranski expressed profound excitement about this career milestone, revealing a personal connection to London's theatre scene. "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 Noel Coward play in the West End," she said. The actress also shared her anticipation for living in London, a city she "absolutely adores."
Star-Studded Cast and Creative Team
Joining Baranski is Richard E Grant, who returns to the West End stage after a two-decade absence to play Judith's reclusive novelist husband, David Bliss. Grant remarked on his delight, noting his previous guest appearance at Wyndham's Theatre twenty-five years ago and his eagerness to work with Baranski under the direction of Emily Burns.
Baranski highlighted the coincidence of both actors' 20-year hiatus from stage work, praising Grant as "so gifted, whip smart, and wickedly funny." She added, "I look forward to 'tearing a passion to tatters' with him alongside our brilliant director, Emily Burns."
The Play and Its Enduring Appeal
Hay Fever, which premiered in the West End in 1925, is a country house-set comedy centring on the eccentric Bliss family and their outrageous antics when each member invites a guest for the weekend. Baranski described the play as "a 101-year-old comedy of appalling manners" that demands "quicksilver delivery and suave flamboyance." She expressed hope that audiences will find it "a delicious treat" to spend time with this "Blissful Bohemian family."
Production Details and Run
The revival will run at Wyndham's Theatre from September 22 to December 12, 2026, with a press night scheduled for October 1. This production marks a significant moment for both Baranski and Grant, bringing together two seasoned actors in a classic work that continues to captivate theatregoers with its wit and charm.
