Kevin Lee (Sandy) makes a move on Annegret Reimer (Judith Bliss). Jeph Ellis photograph
Narcissists engaged in outrageous behavior makes a perfect formula for comedy. Let Noël Coward write the dialogue, and an evening of amusement inevitably transpires.
The Cape Ann Shakespeare Troupe stages one of Coward’s first successes, “Hay Fever,” now through Nov. 21 in Gloucester’s Rogers Street Theatre. Nearly a century old, “Hay Fever” proves that after all that time, escapist comedy still unfolds simply by setting up an imbalanced premise, and giving egomaniacs witty jabs to throw at each other.
Coward’s 1925 comedy—at the time of its premiere, he had four plays running simultaneously in London’s West End—revolves around the pointedly named Bliss family. Parents, son and daughter each invite a guest to their country home—without telling anyone else. Not only are the arrivals unexpected, but the guests are then treated in imaginatively un-hospitable ways.
That about sums up the plot of “Hay Fever.” Nothing really happens, except for insults, partner switches and foppish over-reactions. In Coward’s hands, that’s enough.
Maintaining the Noël Coward pace—rapid-fire would be a simple way to put it—proved a challenge for the CAST crew. But apart from occasional lapses, keeping up with the playwright’s supercharged genius, the eight actors jumped right into these roles feet first.
Annegret Reimer set the mood as the conceited mother, Judith Bliss, investing her minor acting career with enough self-inflated success that she might actually believe it. Her invited guest, the brawny boxer Sandy (Kevin Lee), arrives to show off his not-so-smooth moves, only to discover that she’s married.
The spoiled offspring, daughter Sorel (Bethany Willcox) and son Simon (Dylan Fitzpatrick), invite their own mismatched weekend hopefuls. For Sorel, older diplomat Richard (Patrick Cheney) arrives innocently enough to enjoy a country weekend. Simon’s guest, the stylish Myra (Carole Finn-Weidman), arrives not-so-innocently to pursue alternate amorous possibilities.
And when Jackie (Abbie Zuker)—the guest of father Bliss (David McCaleb)—arrives, the stage is completely set, with four age-inappropriate couples put together for a weekend from hell.
The swaps begin. One kiss from a Bliss means everlasting love—at least until next tea-time. Couplings take place on the family couch, off-stage in the garden or in a corner room. Being 1920’s risqué, the action never gets beyond a peck-on-the-neck, or a bent-over-backwards smooch. But eventually everyone parties with the wrong party, falling Blissfully into temporary devotion.
Ray Jenness directs, and keeps the actors constantly squeamish onstage—a little too close on the couch, or misplaced in the group, or unceremoniously banished to the garden. Given the postage-stamp–sized playing area, good blocking was no easy task. Dress was appropriately lower-gentry Brit, and accents were unobtrusive. The basic set was perfect.
The Coward pace can be a wonder to behold, even when the players don’t quite achieve it. Witticisms run like a fast train, stopping briefly to admire the surroundings. There’s plenty of room for physical comedy, and Reimer, Lee and Finn-Weidman all invested scenes with delicious off-the-cuff gestures. More will come as this run progresses.
The Cape Ann Shakespeare Troupe presents Noël Coward’s “Hay Fever” through Nov. 21 at the Rogers Street Theatre. Visit rogersstreettheatre.org.