Milnerton Players are performingNoel Coward’sclassic comedy Hay Fever at Milnerton Playhouse from Friday May 24 to Saturday June 8.
The production forms part of the 30 years celebration of the Playhouse and 40 years of the Milnerton Players.
Directed by Isabel Orm-andy, Hay Fever is a comedy about bad manners with the action taking place over a weekend at the Bliss family’s country house.
The drama unfolds when, unbeknownst to anyone else, each member of the Bliss family; siblings Sorel (Tania Lemme) and Simon (Lee Speechly), mother, retired actress Judith (Michelle Galloway) and father, author David (Trevor Joubert) have privately invited a guest for the weekend. As the guests Sandy Tyrell (Mark Wilkes), Myra Arundel (Melissa Sanderson), Richard Greatham (Dirk Jonker) and Jackie Coryton (Estie de Wet) arrive, it becomes clear that it is not them who will be the problem but the family themselves.
Judith, recently retired from the stage, turns the weekend into her own private play, with her family as supporting actors. By being over the top and theatrical in their actions the members of the family cause each guest to be paired off with the wrong person, causing much confusion and mayhem.
The guests are so angered by the strange behaviour of their hosts they plot to escape the antics of this outrageous family with hugely comic results while housekeeper Clara (Beryl Eichenberger) takes all the antics in her stride.
The original local production was performed by a group of players “without a home” who presented it in the northern suburbs.
Six of the players, including Isabel Ormandy, decided to establish their own dramatic society nearer home which led to the birth of Milnerton Players.
This revival, more than 30 years on, brings this shrewd, farcical look at a family oblivious to their ill-mannered behaviour to a new generation.
Patrons attending the gala opening on Saturday May 25 are invited to join the 1920s theme by dressing up. Prizes will be awarded to the best dressed couple.
A preview night on Friday May 24 offers a special price of R70 with no concessions.
The show starts at 8pm with a 2.30pm matinee on Saturdays June 1and 8.
Contact bookings@milnertonplayers.com or 082 267 1061 to book or visit https://milnertonplayers.co.za/hayfever/
Three readers can each win a pair of tickets to the preview night on Friday May 24. To enter, SMS TTHayfever with your name and contact details, including email address, to 33258 before midnight on Sunday May 19. SMSes cost R1.50 each.
