Hay Fever

Theatre Royal Brighton, New Road, Monday, September 22 to Saturday, September 27

Noel Coward’s comedy Hay Fever might be 90 years old but Simon Shepherd believes the play remains “incredibly modern”.

The former Peak Practice star takes the role of big-headed novelist David Bliss in a new production opening at Brighton’s Theatre Royal.

He believes the portraits of a pompous and smug family could have been written yesterday.

“For a play written in 1925 it is incredibly modern,” he says. “It resonates about families and people behaving badly and expectations. It is a very contemporary piece and very funny.”

David Bliss and his wife, former stage star Judith (played by Felicity Kendal), have two rotten, spoilt children, Simon and Sorel. Together they make an unconventional family who all want the spotlight. When each family member invites a guest to the country estate an outrageous drama unfolds.

“She is an actress of certain age. He is a novelist – and not a particularly good novelist. They have two brattish children.

“Unbeknownst to each other, they all invite someone to the country house at the weekend, then one by one, the guests are ignored or abused or shouted at and, in some cases, kissed.”

So far, on the first three weeks of its four-week English tour, Shepherd says the audience have been in hysterics: “they are so relieved they are not involved in shenanigans going on on-stage. It is a comedy of manners and it’s extremely uncomfortable.” He reveals the former The Good Life star Kendal has played the part of Judith before.

He says it is perfect for her. “She is marvellous. That is the only word I can use to describe her performances. Because the audience love her as Barbara Good from The Good Life, there is a palpable excitement for the audience seeing her playing this character. She loves doing it.”

Director Lindsay Posner has a reputation for making comedies zing. His recent productions have included Noises Off, Abigail’s Party and Relatively Speaking.

Shepherd says the new production of Hay Fever honours Coward’s original vision.

“There is nothing newfangled about it at all. The director is a stickler for the rhythm and the musical quality you hear inside the lines.

“It’s played very accurately. We play it very quick. It’s an hour and 50 minutes including an interval which in my book is a good thing.

“Felicity gets a real lick going, too, but there are moments to breathe.

“It’s well paced as a piece. I’m sure Noël Coward would have enjoyed it.”

Shepherd’s most recently been on stage in the West End alongside Ben Miller in The Duck House, and at The Royal Court Theatre in Posh, Laura Wade’s play about an Oxford student club based on the Bullingdon Club.

His last visit to Brighton was a totally different affair: panto.

“I’d never done panto before so it was great fun. I did Jack And The Beanstalk with Twiggy and I can’t wait to come back to Brighton. I love the theatre.”

Starts 7.45pm, £11.90 to £37.90. Call 0844 871 7627