Noël Coward’s “Hay Fever” returns to the West End: Christine Baranski makes her London debut, Richard E. Grant returns after 20 years

The first promotional photos, along with video material, were released today for the new West End production of Noël Coward’s irresistible comedy “Hay Fever”. In the leading roles shine Emmy and Tony award winner Christine Baranski, alongside Oscar nominee Richard E. Grant.

The production, which will play a strictly limited autumn season at London’s Wyndham’s Theatre from September 22 to December 12, 2026 — with the official press night on October 1 — marks an important theatrical moment: Baranski makes her official West End debut, while Grant returns to the London stage for the first time in 20 years. Directed by Emily Burns, the production is presented by Delfont Mackintosh Theatres.

“Hay Fever” remains one of British theatre’s most enduring and funniest examinations of family dysfunction and theatrical vanity. The story follows the eccentric Bliss family at their country house in Berkshire. Having retired from glittering stage life only last year, matriarch Judith Bliss already misses the applause deeply. Unfortunately for her, the rest of the family — her withdrawn husband, novelist David, and the grown-up children Sorrel and Simon — are too self-absorbed to give her the adoring public she seeks. In search of distraction, Judith secretly invites a new enthusiastic admirer as her personal guest for the weekend.

Unbeknownst to her, each other member of the Bliss family has independently invited a romantic guest at the same time. Entirely unsuitable for the demands of hosting guests and fundamentally allergic to compromise, the family quickly subjects the bewildered visitors to a chaotic whirlwind of parlour games, stinging barbs and unexpected melodrama. As the weekend disintegrates, the guests find themselves trapped in a theatrical nightmare where the boundaries between reality and performance disappear entirely.

This starry revival promises to bring new energy to Coward’s classic text. Tickets are already on sale.

Source: Theatre News