Richard E Grant gives such immaculate ‘West End stage actor’ vibes that it’s easy to overlook the fact that he’s a relative stranger to Theatreland, having not done a play in London since Simon Gray’s Otherwise Engaged 20 years ago.
This autumn, however, he cashes in all his suave older actor chips to take on one of the greatest British comedies of the 20th century, as he stars opposite beloved US TV star Christine Baranski – making her West End debut – in a massive new revival of Noël Coward’s all-time classic Hay Fever.
One of Coward’s greatest plays, the outrageous 1925 comedy tells the story of David and Judith Bliss, the heads of a bonkers, bickering upper class family who each invite guest to stay on the same weekend with disastrous consequences. It gets staged a fair amount, mostly because it’s very funny: the last big London production in 2012 featured a scene-stealing turn from a young Phoebe Waller-Bridge. So there are plenty of opportunities for younger cast members (who are TBA), but like a lot of Coward’s work, much of the enduring appeal lies in the fact that it provides great roles for older actors.
It’s being directed by Emily Burns, a rising star with a knack for comedy, with her presence suggesting that while unlikely to be a by numbers take, this will likely be going for the funny bone rather than aggressively deconstructing the 101-year-old classic. Which is all to the good and probably what people want from Withnail & I legend Grant – but frankly it’ll just be good to have him back.
Hay Fever is at Wyndham’s Theatre, Sep 22-Dec 12.
The best new London theatre show to book for in 2026.
Plus: the Young Vic has announced a stunning new season featuring Thelma & Louise and Ben Whishaw.
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