Stephen Unwin to direct Celia Imrie in HAY FEVER At The Rose, Opens Sept 23

The Rose Theatre is delighted to announce that Stephen Unwin will direct Noël Coward's Hay Fever with a cast that includes Celia Imrie in the role of Judith Bliss and Alexandra Gilbreath as Myra Arundal. The production will run from 23 September - 23 October.

Director Stephen Unwin said "I'm thrilled to be directing Noël Coward's great comedy of bad manners, which seems to me one of the most perfectly achieved twentieth century English plays. With this production, I want to lay bare the brilliant assault on suburban values that lies at the heart of the play. Celia Imrie is perfect casting for the outrageous Judith Bliss, and it's a real pleasure to be working with Alexandra Gilbreath again (she was awarded the Ian Charleson Award for her Hedda Gabler with me at the Donmar in 1998)."

Hay Fever will be the Rose Theatre's ninth home-grown production since it opened in January 2008. Earlier this year the Rose produced A Midsummer Night's Dream starring Judi Dench and Dumb Show with Sanjeev Bhaskar.

Written in 1924, Hay Fever is one of Coward's best known plays, famous for the eccentricity of its characters. Actress Judith Bliss, novelist David Bliss and their two unconventional children, Sorel and Simon, welcome four guests to their country house by the Thames. But misunderstandings mount and the unwitting guests become desperate to flee.

Celia Imrie is an Oliver award-winning actress and comedienne, widely known for her work on stage (Plague Over England, The Rivals) on television (Dinner Ladies, The Darling Buds of May) and in film (Calendar Girls, Bridget Jones' Diary).

Celia will be joined by Alexandra Gilbreath who will play Myra Arundal. Alexandra has work extensively for the RSC including Twelfth Night , Merry Wives - The Musical and The Tamer Tamed.

Further casting to be announced.

Stephen Unwin is Artistic Director of the Rose. His recent productions include Miss Julie, A Christmas Carol and The Winslow Boy. Stephen foundEd English Touring Theatre in 1993 and directed almost thirty productions of new and classical work for the company both on tour and in the West End.

Simon Higlett will return to the Rose as set designer. Paul Pyant will join the team as lighting designer, Corin Buckeridge as composer and Ginny Schiller is casting director.

Box Office 0871 230 1552 (operated by SEE Tickets)
Groups hotline 0844 412 4650
www.rosetheatrekingston.org

A booking fee applies for tickets booked online or over the telephone.

Performance Schedule

Evenings 7.30pm, Matinees 2.30pm
Press night Tuesday 28 September 7pm

Tickets

Stage side pit-cushion seats £8
Seated tickets £12 - £30

Photo Credit: BWW-Staff