Hay Fever by Noel Coward

Drama group looks back over 50 golden years

WHEN Banbury Cross Players put on their first play a month before the war in Europe ended in April, 1945, at Bloxham School, theatre-goers were told that a train left Bloxham Great Western Station every night for Banbury at 10.20pm!

Well times have certainly changed with no GWR and hardly any trains left but, 50 years later, the amateur dramatic group is still going strong, and is celebrating its golden anniversary by staging the same play, Noel. Coward’s Hay Fever, and hosting a 50th birthday party on March 11 at Banbury’s North Oxfordshire College.

The only problem is that, while the present society has around 100 members, there are many people who have been members over the past years but who have lost touch with the Players. “We would very much like to hear from them so they can be invited to the celebrations throughout 1995,” said deputy chairman Gill Huband.
“We are going to have a gala night and we don’t want to miss any BCP members, either current, or any from the past 50 years. “Anyone who would like further information about the celebrations or who knows former members of the Players, should contact me on 01295 xxxxxxx.” Theatre-goers can see the Player’s new version of Hay Fever from today (Thursday) until Saturday (February 18) at The Mill Theatre in Banbury.

Directed by Alan Woodruff, this classic slice of Coward follows the adventures of the very Bohemian Bliss family as they invite several guests to their delightful country house for the weekend.

Arguments and histrionics ensue however, as the guests find themselves spending the weekend with a family who like nothing better than having a go at each other but who are quick to unite when outsiders start poking their noses in.

The production stars Anne Bloor, Debbie Burns, Peter Bloor, Lorraine Williams, Andy Allen, Jan Batchelor, Mary Bradburn, Jem Turner and Chris Lawrence. Tickets costing £4 are available from Ottakar’s in Banbury High Street and The Mill Theatre box office on 01295 279002. Incidentally, the original production of Hay Fever starred Nevill Turner, who is still a BCP member, and Players’ stalwart Spen Lester, on lights and sound. Programmes were just 6d (less than 3p today) and admission was free.

BANBURY Cross Players have gone to a lot of trouble to get the authentic flavour of the 1920s in Alan Woodruff’s production of Noel Coward’s Hay Fever.

Dressed by Jayne Buzzard, the cast went over to Alan Kerr’s garage at Leamington to get the experience of sitting in a 1927 Rolls Royce boat coupe, a car that was right in period.

Pictured are Anne Bloor who plays ex-actress Judith Bliss, Debbie Burns (Jackie Coryton), Peter Bloor, the author David Bliss, Lorraine Williams, the adorably snooty Sorrel, Andy Allen (Richard Greatham), Jan Batchelor who plays the lively Myra, and Mary Bradburn who is the indispensable Clara.

The story revolves around the relationships between the family and their guests at a delightful country house, and also taking vital roles are Jem Turner (Simon Bliss) and Chris Lawrence as Sandy Tyrrell.

The play is the first in the Players’ 50th anniversary, and is the third time that it has been staged by them. The first production was at Bloxham School, when admission was free and there was a collection for the Horton Hospital. It was directed by the Rev J. Sholto Douglas, and Nevill Turner played David Bliss, while Spencer Lester did the light- ing and sound. Both Nevill and Spen are still active Players’ members.

The play runs from February 15-18, and tickets are avail- able from Ottakar’s, in Banbury High Street, and the Mill Theatre box office on 01295 279002.

THE BANBURY Cross Players really got into the mood for their latest production, Noel Coward’s Hayfever, helped by a vintage Rolls-Royce.

Dressed by Jayne Buzzard in traditional costumes of the Roaring Twenties, the cast went over to a garage in Leamington Spa to get the experience of sitting in a £28,000 Rolls-Royce 1927 boat coupe.

Alan Woodruff’s production of Hayfever, the first production in the Players’ 50th anniversary celebrations, revolves around the relationship between a family and their guests at a delightful country house and stars Jem Turner as Simon Bliss and Chris Lawrence as Sandy Tyrrell.

Collection

The first production of the play this is the third time the play has been staged by the Players – was directed by Rev J Sholto Douglas and staged at Bloxham School, where admission was free and there was a collection for the Horton Hospital. And Nevill Turner, who played David Bliss, and Spencer Lester, who took care of the lighting and sound, are still active Players’ members to this day.

Hayfever plays at The Mill Theatre in Banbury until Saturday. Tickets are available from Ottakar’s, High Street, Banbury and The Mill Theatre box office on 01295 252050.

Photo: TOUCH OF CLASS: From left to right, Lorraine Williams, Jan Batchelor, Peter Bloor, Anne Bloor, Debbie Burns, Andy Allen and Mary Bray Brook.

JUST where was Hercules Poirot? Tony Neale’s superb set for the Players’ golden anniversary Hay Fever was so authentic, and the girls’ stunning dresses by Jayne Buzzard so good, that the play demanded his appearance.

Noel Coward’s houseparty was so different from the 1990’s that we might have been watching people from another planet, and the drawing room comedy reminded us what a revolution occurred when Osborne’s Look Back in Anger hit Britain.

This was sheer superficial escapism, to be enjoyed for the acting, sparkling dialogue and the recreation of an ambiance, where the most important test was the inter- minable setting of the breakfast table. Coward demands actors to be frothy, light, and to score off each other with the speed of light, but there has to be pace. The first act was slow, the second enjoyed an effective climax when the actors finally got into their stride, and the play sank into a genteel decline as the Bliss family reverted to their normal totally selfish characters.

Peter Bloor’s David Bliss was the archety- pal mature Coward man, and real life wife Anne worked splendidly in tandem as the outrageous fading actress.
Echoes of Woodland Players’ Blithe Spirit here. Lorraine Williams was a feisty Sorrel, while Jan Batchelor (Myra) looked stunning and was well cast.

Mary Braybrook hit just the right note as the dresser turned maid, with a great song. Jeremy Turner, Chris Lawrence, Andrew Allen, and Debby Burns, played stock Cow- ard characters effectively.

More Banbury cake than souffle, it was still a satisfying dish.
GW