Christine Baranski and Richard E. Grant to star in Noël Coward’s Hay Fever

Wessex Grove and Gavin Kalin Productions are delighted to announce that two-time Tony Award® winner Christine Baranski will star as Judith Bliss and Academy Award nominee Richard E. Grant will star as David Bliss in a stinging new production of Noël Coward’s irresistible comedy Hay Fever. Directed by Emily Burns, Hay Fever will play at Wyndham’s Theatre, a Delfont Mackintosh Theatre, for a strictly limited season from 22 September to 12 December 2026.

Christine Baranski said today “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 Noël Coward play in the West End. I look forward to a life in London, a city I absolutely adore.  I last performed on stage 20 years ago, and coincidentally, Richard E. Grant last performed in the West End 20 years ago! Richard is so gifted, whip smart, and wickedly funny. I look forward to “tearing a passion to tatters” with him alongside our brilliant director, Emily Burns. Hay Fever is a 101-year-old comedy of appalling manners. It requires quicksilver delivery and suave flamboyance. I hope it will be a delicious treat for audiences to spend time with this Blissful Bohemian family!”

Richard E. Grant said today “25 years ago, I guest starred for a night in ‘The Play What I Wrote’ at the beautiful Wyndham’s Theatre. I am delighted to return to the Wyndham’s stage (and maybe to a bigger dressing room) alongside the sensational Christine Baranski in Noël Coward’s delicious comedy, Hay Fever, which premiered in the West End 101 years ago (but who’s counting?). I love the theatre and am thrilled to return to it, and to be directed by the illustrious Emily Burns.”

What is Hay Fever about?

It’s LOATHESOME being looked after. Last year, Judith retired from her life-on-stage. Already, she misses the applause. Idling away at their country home, the rest of the family – reclusive novelist husband David and failure-to-launch children Sorrel and Simon – are too self-involved to be a good audience. So, Judith invites a young fan as her guest for the weekend.  But unbeknownst to her, each of the Blisses have a guest of their own arriving at the very same time. Completely unsuited to hosting and allergic to compromise, the house quickly erupts into a chaos of parlour games, put-downs and unrequested encores.

Christine Baranski and Richard E. Grant in Hay Fever

Christine Baranski is one of the entertainment industry’s most honoured actresses. She’s an Emmy, two-time Tony, Screen Actors Guild, Drama Desk, and American Comedy Award winner. Baranski can be seen starring as Agnes Van Rhijn in the acclaimed HBO series The Gilded Age. Her credits include Cruel Intentions, How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Mamma Mia!. Her role in Hay Fever this Autumn will mark her West End debut.

She will be joined by Richard E. Grant, an award-winning actor whose body of work spans from stage to screen. His credits include Thursday Murder Club, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, My Fair Lady and The Other Bennet Sister. This production will mark Richard E. Grant’s first time on the West End stage in 20 years.

Hay Fever will be directed by Emily Burns, an associate of the Bridge Theatre and previously of the National Theatre.

Further casting and the creative team to be announced soon.

Tickets go on sale Friday 17 April at 2.00pm at hayfeverplay.com.