Christine Baranski, Richard E. Grant to Star in West End’s ‘Hay Fever’

Christine Baranski and Richard E. Grant are set to co-star in a new production of Noel Coward’s “Hay Fever” on the West End.

Two-time Tony winner Baranski will make her West End debut as Judith Bliss with Oscar nominee Grant as David Bliss in the comedy of manners, which centers on four eccentric members of the Bliss family who each invite a guest to spend the weekend at their country house.

“Last year, Judith retired from her life-on-stage. Already, she misses the applause. Idling away at their country home, the rest of the family — reclusive novelist husband David and failure-to-launch children Sorrel and Simon — are too self-involved to be a good audience,” the play’s official synopsis reads. “So, Judith invites a young fan as her guest for the weekend. But unbeknownst to her, each of the Blisses have a guest of their own arriving at the very same time. Completely unsuited to hosting and allergic to compromise, the house quickly erupts into a chaos of parlor games, put-downs and unrequested encores.”

Directed by Emily Burns, “Hay Fever” will premiere at Wyndham’s Theater from Sept. 22 to Dec. 12, with a press night on Oct. 1. Tickets go on sale Friday at 2 p.m. U.K. time on the play’s website. Further casting and creative team will be announced soon.

“I attended my first West End play as a student at Juilliard in 1971, so it’s rather a dream come true to perform at Wyndham’s Theatre in a Noël Coward play in the West End,” Baranski said in a statement. “I look forward to a life in London, a city I absolutely adore. I last performed on stage 20 years ago, and coincidentally, Richard E. Grant last performed in the West End 20 years ago! Richard is so gifted, whip smart, and wickedly funny. I look forward to ‘tearing a passion to tatters’ with him alongside our brilliant director, Emily Burns. Hay Fever is a 101-year-old comedy of appalling manners. It requires quicksilver delivery and suave flamboyance. I hope it will be a delicious treat for audiences to spend time with this Blissful Bohemian family!”

Added Grant: “25 years ago, I guest starred for a night in ‘The Play What I Wrote’ at the beautiful Wyndham’s Theatre. I am delighted to return to the Wyndham’s stage (and maybe to a bigger dressing room) alongside the sensational Christine Baranski in Noël Coward’s delicious comedy, ‘Hay Fever,’ which premiered in the West End 101 years ago (but who’s counting?). I love the theatre and am thrilled to return to it, and to be directed by the illustrious Emily Burns.”