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 THE STORY: Hay Fever is a comic play written by Noel Coward in 1924 and first produced in 1925. Best described as a cross between high farce and a comedy of manners, the play is set in an English country house in the 1920s, and deals with the four eccentric members of the Bliss family and their ourtrageous behavior when they each invite a guest to spend the weekend. The self-centered Blisses are so engaged in this family row that they do not notice their guests' response to their actions.
 Notes from the Director, Linda Garski:
The above synopsis is taken from notes by the publishing company, but here is MY quick take on this funny play, in layman's terms:
The Bliss family owns a lovely country house, which they use to relax and entertain guests. On this particular weekend, each of them—unbeknownst to the others—invites a guest for the weekend, and each intends for their guest to stay in the guest room. Sorel invites Richard. Simon invites Myrna. Judith invites Sandy. David invites Jackie. (Clara wonders how she's going to keep everything in order.)
So now all the Blisses are ticked at each other, and decide it will be fun to ruin each other's weekend. The guests, however, are clueless to what's going on. The reactions of the guests are as funny as the antics of the Bliss family. Hilarity ensues.
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When I first read this play, I tried to figure out why these characters seemed so familiar to me. They shouldn't—this play is set in the 1920's, LONG before I was born. Then I realized the Bliss family reminds me of a popular English family that lives in our times: the Ossie Osborne family! (Minus the terrible language and vulgar manners, I might add!)
The Blisses had this schtick down LONG before the Osbornes were in existence—they bicker, they play tricks on each other, and they ignore the fact that at times they are indeed quite "out there" compared to the average family. But, at other times, despite their wealth and fame, they are very much like the average family, and they really do care about each other.
Keep in mind that each of these characters is very likeable and human —they are not mean-spirited caricatures. That's what makes this play—a timeless classic—so much fun!
The characters include:
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Sorel Bliss - 21-32 years old. Sorel is Judith and David Bliss's daughter. Sorel and her brother come from money, but they are siblings as we know them: fighting one minute, and best buddies the next.
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Simon Bliss - 21-32 years old. Simon is Judith and David Bliss's son. He loves to rib his sister.
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Clara - Over 30 years of age. Clara is the Bliss family maid. She's a bit rough around the edges.
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Judith Bliss - 45-58 years old. Judith is a retired English actress. She misses her younger years, and is looking for someone to tell her she's still beautiful and desireable.
- David Bliss - 45-58 years old. David is a novelist who is looking for his next muse. He, like Judith, seems to be in a bit of a mid-life crisis.
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Sandy Tyrell - 25-32 years old. Sandy is the young man Judith invites for the weekend. He's a stud, and he's enamoured with Judith.
- Myrna Arundel - 25-40 years old. Myrna is Simon's weekend guest. She doesn't really want to spend time with Simon, but wants to meet David.
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Richard Greatham - 35-55 years old Richard is a proper English diplomat, and Sorel's weekend guest. He's a bit stiff, but likeable.
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Jackie Coryton - 21-32 years old. David's weekend guest. She's kind of a good-hearted ditz.
Please note that the ages I've listed for each of these characters is relative....they are not set in stone. Obviously David and Judith need to be old enough to be the parents of Simon and Sorel, and everyone's "love interest" characters need to be of ages that work for the play. Everything depends on who shows up for auditions.
About auditions:
Auditions will be held in the theatre at 6:30 pm. I run a very relaxed audition—quite simply, I'll call you and others onstage to read excerpts from the play, and everyone will clap when you are done. It's easy, and it's fun! You don't have to have a character down perfectly. I'm just looking to see what you can bring to the show, so don't think you have to study the script for hours and hours before auditions. We will use English accents for this show, but I won't require you to audition using an accent, although you are certainly encouraged to try if you so wish.
And don't feel you need to have acting experience. This is COMMUNITY THEATRE, which means that everyone is welcome! WRCT puts on some very high-quality productions of which we are all very proud, and you'd be surprised to know how many of our actors are onstage for the first time in one of these shows. By the time we're ready to run the show, nobody in the audience will be able to tell the difference between rookies and veterans! We have a good-sized cast, with 9 roles to fill, (we'll need both veterans AND rookies) so if you've ever wanted to give WRCT a try, now's the time!
If you have any questions at all, please contact me at 424-4521, or email me at llgarski@wctc.net.
Linda Garski, Director |
