The Mill at Sonning Theatre – until 13th May 2023
Reviewed by Flo Genis
5*****
Hay Fever is a joyous combination of chaos and hilarity that grows on you throughout the 3 acts. It is set on a midsummer day in 1925.
The wonderfully dysfunctional Bliss family take you on a realistic journey of hosting a collection of people and their evolving dramatic relationships. Each member of the Bliss family has invited a plus one to the house in the country without asking permission or considering logistics of hosting so many people in short notice. The guests are thrown into this whirlwind of a drama, games and family dynamics. The Bliss family consists of mother Judith (Issy Van Randwyck), father David (Nick Waring) and their two not grown up enough children son Simon (William Pennington) and daughter Sorel (Emily Panes). All totally absorbed in their own personal dramas and unable to hear what anyone else has to say. Their housekeeper Clara (Joanna Brookes) brings a comical grounding to the family’s chaos. In some way you end up connecting with each of the family members and the guests. They were relatable, mad as a box of frogs and utterly lovable, I was rooting for them.
The set and costumes are beautiful, with great attention to detail including a series of elegant 20s dresses. The venue has to be mentioned as well- The Mill at Sonning is a grade II listed building, perched on an island on the Thames and the show is set in Cookham, Berkshire next to the Thames so this is a perfect place to see such a show. The theatre itself feels intimate, creating an illusion that the audience is another guest in the room with the characters.
The show was an amalgamation of slapstick, comedic timing, witty quips made for an hilarious experience. By the end of the show my face hurt from smiling so much.