Hay Fever

The truly awful Bliss family (father David, mother Judith, daughter Sorel, son Simon) have each asked someone down for the weekend that the others don't know about. David, a writer seeking inspiration (played by Paul Eddington) has asked a shy and stammering flapper, Jackie (Susan Wooldridge). Judith, an ageing actress who plays every moment as if it was on the stage (Penelope Keith) has enticed Sandy, who wears flannels (Michael Cochrane). Sorel, a 20s bright young thing, has invited Richard, a diplomat (Benjamin Whitrow). And Simon, idle and intolerable, has asked his older lady friend, Myra (Patricia Hodge).

This meeting of oddballs goes from bad to worse, with a word game falling flat, mind games a la Virginia Woolf by Albee, and eventually, a farcical breakfast/library staging. It is perceptive, frothy, sparkling, and funny, and everyone fits their characters perfectly. A bit of location work also helps with an ever-more waterlogged garden pinpointing the movement of time.