NOEL Coward’s 1920s play ‘Hay Fever’, set in the house of the eccentric Bliss family, is essentially a comedy of manners (bad manners in the case of the self-centred Blisses), and most of the humour comes from Coward’s sparklingly witty dialogue.

The play is very much of its era; it is elegantly written and the clipped, clever exchanges between characters still bristle with life and intelligence – both of which were brought out in this fine production.

A uniformly strong cast, headed by Alison Haines as the dramatic, egotistical Judith, performed well.

Ms Haines performed the central role with a sort of weary theatricality – the faded actress ‘playing’ at being a rural hostess and taking every opportunity to blow situations out of proportion in order to be dramatic.

Her grown-up, immature children; Sorel (Kayleigh Partt) and Simon (Christopher Williamson) played their ‘parts’ in their mother’s ongoing theatrical production of life – humouring her by slipping into melodramatic character roles from Judith’s stage successes.

The conceit of the play is that each of the four Bliss family members has secretly invited a friend for the weekend but the hapless guests find themselves peripheral onlookers to and occasional participants in the Blisses’ self-absorbed and exclusive familial relationships.

Novelist father, David Bliss (newcomer Laurence Meering – good, boorish pseudo-intellectual) has invited young flapper Jackie (Sylvie Webber – very amusing as shy, out-ofher- depth ingénue); Judith’s guest is a besotted young fan (Adam Smith, all eager enthusiasm) and Simon’s is the sharp-tongued, cynical Myra (Nicola Della Valle).

The guests and hosts pair off in unconvincing couples and the following morning the guests all gang up together in order to escape their nightmarish weekend and tip-toe out as the Blisses argue and bicker amongst themselves.

The set was beautiful (Louise Adams and David Goodall), the performances good (including the lovely cameo by Margaret Ballard as the slightly grumpy maid Clara) and the pace well maintained.

Director Louise Adams has assembled a strong cast and made good use of their talents to produce a sell-out success.