Revie: Halse Players: Hay Fever by Noel Coward. A Comedy of (Bad) Manners

“Darlings, you were marvellous!”– What else can one say of a play about an over-theatrical family and their unfortunate house guests, invited, but unwanted.

The Halse Players have created another mini-masterpiece – beginning with the setting. The Loggia in the garden of the The Old Cider House was transformed, courtesy of the Hoole family, into the Bliss family home in Cookham in the 1950’s. It was correct in every detail. The comfortable furniture, the embroidered tablecloths, the barometer, the mirrors and the Butler's Tray set for tea. The glorious set was complemented by beautiful 1950’s costumes, glamorous daywear and stunning evening wear, perfectly suited to each character.

In this fantastic, outdoor set the Bliss family act out their notion of ‘normality’, dispensing casual cruelty to those around them. The family can barely remember Amy, the Scullery Maid, reported be in agony with toothache. Over the course of a weekend, they fight over their invited guests, all, apparently, sleeping in the Japanese Room, publicly embarrass them, seduce them, propose to them and ignore them and, finally, in the midst of a blazing row over the location of the Rue Saint Honoré, fail to notice as their guests sidle away. "People”, they note, “ really do behave in the most extraordinary manner these days”!

An experienced cast relished their roles. Caroline Cook, resplendent in fuchsia silk and Wellington boots, was Judith Bliss, theatrical diva playing the ‘Lady of the Manor’, whilst keeping her eye on the Gossip Columns. She varied the role with dramatic renditions of ‘Seductress’, ‘Wronged Wife’ and ‘Heartbroken Mother’ gifting her children to their, temporary, partners.

David Wood was wonderful as the amorous Sandy Tyrell, ready to fall for the charms of the ‘Widowed Star’ and horrified to discover that far from being dead, the late David Bliss was upstairs, writing another blockbuster. He was further confused by the advances of Sorel Bliss (Heather Davis). When not fighting with her brother, Simon (Richard Elston), Sorel was happy to play along with her Mother’s drama – including sudden, non-existent, romantic entanglements.

Simon appeared to believe that he had found love with the feisty Myra Arundel (Lucy Turner). She rebuffed his advances – having plans of her own to meet her hero, Simon’s novelist Father (Alan Byrne). She quickly found herself cast in the Bliss drama as ‘the other woman’ being ‘bravely’ offered a husband she didn’t want!

Bewildered Diplomat, Richard Greatham (David Porter), struggled to express his feelings for Sorel and was stunned to find himself in the role of marriage-wrecker when Judith reacted melodramatically to a peck on the cheek.

A special mention must be made of Halse newcomer Annette Murphy, playing the unfortunate Jackie Coryton, ably supported by ‘Small Dog’ (Louie Murphy). Clutching her canine comfort blanket, poor Jackie was invited, ignored, embarrassed, proposed to, and finally rescued by her fellow guests.

As for the Bliss family, when real life – and guests intruded too far on their private dramas – they abandoned all sense of reality, joining Judith in a magnificently over-acted scene from her greatest success “Love's Whirlwind”.

The entire family was held together by Clara (Barbara Bartlett), Judith’s Dresser and housekeeper. Clara remained calm throughout, stomping up and down the entrance to let in the guests, worrying about rooms, meals, and pain-wracked scullery maid – and being completely ignored. Another comic masterpiece.

It was a glorious show. Great fun to watch. The Halse Players cast and Production Team must have all enjoyed putting this wonderful show together. Many Congratulations to you all.

Mary Hayward