"Hay Fever" is a comedic play written by Noël Coward, a prolific British playwright, composer, and actor. It was first performed in 1925 and has since become one of Coward's most popular works. The play is set in an English country house in the 1920s and revolves around the eccentric Bliss family, who each invite guests for the weekend without informing each other. The resulting chaos and misunderstandings provide the basis for the play's humor.
The Bliss family consists of Judith Bliss, a retired actress; her novelist husband, David Bliss; and their two adult children, Sorel and Simon, who have inherited their parents' theatrical tendencies. Each family member is preoccupied with their own romantic interests and desires, leading to a series of hilarious interactions with their unsuspecting guests.
As the weekend unfolds, the guests find themselves caught up in the Bliss family's melodramatic antics, including romantic entanglements, misunderstandings, and theatrical performances. The play explores themes of love, passion, and the nature of performance, all set against the backdrop of a country house weekend.
"Hay Fever" is known for its witty dialogue, sharp characterizations, and farcical plot twists, making it a classic of British comedy theatre. It has been adapted for film, television, and stage numerous times and continues to be performed by theatre companies around the world.
0