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Hay Fever |
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Dame Judi was the winner for Best
Actress in a Play Thanks to Glenda P, USA, for bringing this to my attention
Glenda P, NC, US -- July 29th and 31st
Left Photo: Anne, Mike, Glenda & Pauline
More Photos are posted in the DJD / MW Yahoo Message Board Photo
Section I so much enjoyed my weekend in London seeing Hay Fever and Fond and Familiar in June that I convinced my husband Mike that I was taking him to London for his birthday this past weekend and was able to go back to see DJD perform Hay Fever once more before it closes. Again DJD was wonderful in the play. She did trip and almost missed a step when running down the stair on the set. My heart stopped for a minute but she never missed a beat, just went right on as if nothing happened. Joan Plowright, widow of Sir Laurence Olivier and co-star with DJD in “Tea with Mussolini” was seated in the Box Seat next to our seats on the first row. She looked wonderful. She spoke to us on our arrival and again at the interval. She bid us good by as we left the theatre. It took us several minutes to realize who she was. We met DJD at the stage door on Saturday night. She was dressed in a street length taupe colored dress and beige pumps and purse, apparently to go out after the performance. We also met her at the stage door after attending the performance on Monday night. She was dressed in her customary beige pants and jacket with a white shirt and flat shoes. As usual she was very kind and recognized me from my June visit. She thanked me for the flowers that I had sent to her in June and the mini-sharpies that I had mailed to her. I asked if she will be coming to the states for the premier of “Casino Royale” and “Notes On A Scandal” and she said she was not sure but did not think so as she will be in rehearsal and performing “Merry Wives” at that time. It has been
announced in the UK that the Queen has chosen
“Casino Royale”
as the Royal Premier film this year which means that some of the Royal
family will be in attendance at the London premier.
More Photos are posted in the DJD / MW Yahoo Message Board Photo
Section
Dame Judi with Glenda P, NC, USA and Pauline G, UK Account of Glenda P's Trip to London LONDON 6-16-06 / 6-19-06 FRIDAY: Arrived at Heathrow in London and went straight to the Corus Hotel to meet Pauline G from the UK. We met on a Judi Dench website and had been corresponding for about 3 months. I could never convey what an asset Pauline was to me on this trip. Pauline was waiting at the hotel. We had a snack and spent the whole afternoon “nattering” or chatting as we would say here in the states. Time flew by and before we realized it the time had come to go to the Royal Haymarket Theatre to meet DJD at the stage door to sign all of our DJD books. Pauline was smart enough to write to DJD and make arrangements for this. When we arrived at the stage door the door manager advised that DJD had left our names but that she would be running late due to a function in the theatre. We decided to wait for her which actually turned out to be a short wait. She emerged from the theatre dressed in her customary beige clothing and flat shoes looking very tired. She was very shy and meek yet so very sweet and kind. She took the time to sign all 4 of my books and 2 of Pauline’s books. I had taken her a very soft snuggly teddy bear and she kept thanking me for the bear and telling me how much she loved it. She kept the teddy snuggled to her chest the entire time she was talking to us and was signing the books. She also kept commenting on my Mini-Sharpie and said she did not think they are available yet in the UK. When I offered it to her she declined and said I would need it on Saturday night if I wanted her to sign my “Hay Fever” program. When we were leaving she was escorted to a waiting vehicle by her driver and got into the back seat. When they pulled away she was snuggling the teddy and waving good bye to us. SATURDAY: Attended the Trooping of the Colours parade honoring the Queens 80th birthday. I actually was able to see the Queen as she rode by in her carriage. How exciting. On Saturday night I attended “Hay Fever” and had a front row seat for this wonderful performance. DJD is brilliant. Sitting so close I could see every movement she made with her face and hands. She did flub her first line upon entering the stage but since the audience was still applauding she just repeated the line and most of the audience never knew she made the mistake. Her energy on stage is unbelievable. It is amazing to see her run up and down the stairs on stage. She sings and skips across the stage and also does a fake swoon. I am 20 years younger than her but would never be able to match her energy. SUNDAY: Took the boat ride on the river Thames and enjoyed seeing all the sights along the river and seeing Buckingham Palace. On Sunday night I attended “Fond & Familiar” starring DJD, Geoffrey Palmer and John Moffat. This program was wonderful. Geoffrey looked wonderful and did a great job. John Moffat was a delight. Of course DJD was again brilliant. She was dressed in a long black dress with black pumps and her customary jewelry. I did notice however that she was very hoarse and her voice was quite raspy. She drank water continually to sooth her throat. She did seen somewhat distracted or maybe just tired as every time she sat down for the others to perform you could tell by her facial expressions that her mind had wandered far from that stage but she was right back when it was her turn to perform. She was presented a huge bouquet of flowers at the end of the program. When the program was over Geoffrey was not seen any more. DJD was escorted out the front door and put into a waiting vehicle without signing autographs or speaking to the fans. It was after all her night off and she was very tired. The entire
weekend was a dream come true for me. Again I want to thank Pauline G from
the UK for being such a wonderful friend and a true asset to me. I
recommend anyone going to London contact Pauline for advice. She will save
you tons of time and money. A Special Thank You to Glenda for sharing this with us
Stage Door Photos -- April 29, 2006
A Special Thanks to Pauline G, UK, for sharing these photos with us
Press Night Photos -- April 20, 2006
First Look Photos of Dame Judi and the Cast
of Hay Fever
Thanks to Connie E, USA, for
scanning and sharing this magazine cover There really wasn't anything new in the article or
photos so that's not included at this time 6th April 2006 - What's on Stage News Flu Fells Dench, Hay Fever Cancel Four Previews The first four performances of Peter Hall’s revival of Noel Coward’s Hay Fever, starring Judi Dench, has cancelled its first four previews this week, as its star is suffering from a bout of flu. Performances were due to start tonight (Thursday 6 April 2006) ahead of an already re-scheduled press night of 20 April (moved to avoid a clash with an RSC opening in Stratford-upon-Avon – See News, 10 Mar 2006). Performances are now scheduled to commence next Tuesday, 11 April.
Hay Fever Ticket
Auction
Note: The
confirmation number and barcoding has been removed from
Seating Plan
You are cordially invited to the weekend
from hell
The Theatre Royal Haymarket Website
Hay Fever -- starring Judi Dench, Peter Bowles, directed by Sir
Peter Hall ... Thanks to Sue M. for bringing this to my attention
Whatsonstage.com Website
London Theatre Guide Website Booking
Page
This is Theatre Website Info Page
Show times
Hay Fever -- 1999 Audio
Recording Page
Cast / Crew
Judith Bliss: Judi Dench Director: Peter Hall
(left to
right) Peter Bowles, Belinda Lang, Kim Medcalf
Hay Fever season this summer London Theatre Guide Online Article -- January 27, 2006 Booking opens today for Hay Fever, the Noel Coward play starring Dame Judi Dench that has just confirmed its run at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Peter Hall’s revival of Coward’s Hay Fever will preview from 6 April, opening on 20 April, with a limited 18-week season until 5 August. The king of social farces, Noel Coward, famously whipped up this play in a mere 72 hours. Based on the life of the eccentric American actress Laurette Taylor, the story follows flighty thespian Judith Bliss (Dench), who lives with her husband and children in an idyllic rural abode, and invites a selection of unwitting guests to join what becomes an increasingly mad house. Dame Judi Dench was last seen on a West End stage in 2004 in the RSC’s All’s Well That Ends Well at the Gielgud. She has most recently starred on screen in Pride And Prejudice and has just been BAFTA nominated for her star turn as the feisty, stubborn widow Laura Henderson in Mrs Henderson Presents, the Stephen Frears film about London’s Windmill theatre and its penchant for nude revues. Dench’s on-stage husband David will be played by Peter Bowles (Sleuth, Wait Until Dark on stage), while Belinda Lang, best known as the harried mum in TV series Two Point Four Children, will play Myra Arundel and Kim Medcalf (Eastenders’ Sam Mitchell) takes the role of Sorel Bliss. Other cast members include William Chubb, Charles Edwards and Dan Stevens. Hay Fever is designed by Simon Higlett, with lighting by Paul Pyant and sound by Gregory Clarke. It is produced by Bill Kenwright and Thelma Holt. London Theatre Guide Website Booking Page
Playbill.com -- January 26, 2006 It was confirmed Jan. 26 that director Peter Hall’s forthcoming revival of Noel Coward’s Hay Fever, starring Judi Dench, will open April 20 after two weeks of previews that begin April 6. Dench was last seen on the West End stage in the Royal Shakespeare Company production of All's Well That Ends Well at the Gielgud Theatre. At the Haymarket she played opposite her fellow Dame, Maggie Smith, in David Hare’s Breath of Life in 2002. Earlier that year, Dench was on the same stage playing in Hall’s revival of Kaufman and Ferber’s The Royal Family in which, as with Hay Fever, Dench played a grandiose actress steeped in theatrical tradition. Playing opposite Dench’s Judith Bliss, Peter Bowles (who was also in The Royal Family) takes on the role of John Standing, her bland novelist husband. Coward’s 1924 comedy of bad manners sees each of the Bliss family invite a guest for the weekend. Coward plays off their expectations against the humiliations they suffer as the family either relentlessly ignores or pursues them. The West End last saw a production of Hay Fever at the Savoy Theatre in 1999, the centenary year of Coward’s birth. For that production, which featured Geraldine McEwan in the role of Judith Bliss, director Declan Donnellan rewrote the play so that is was bracketed with a scene from the melodramatic Love’s Whirlwind in which Judith once had a major success. Donnellan’s amendments drew scorn from many of London’s critics. In addition to Dench and
Bowles, the cast of this production will include Belinda Lang, Kim Medcalf,
Charles Edwards and Dan Stevens. Peter Hall is set to direct. Thanks to Ellen G, USA, for bringing this to my attention
Independent Online Article -- December 27, 2005 As an actress of considerable
standing, Dame Judi Dench would have every right to believe that
performing with former soap stars is beneath her dignity. It is to her
great credit, therefore, that a long-awaited return to the West End will
co-star the
EastEnders stalwart
Kim Medcalf. "I'm going
to be playing Judi Dench's daughter in the Noel Coward play Hay Fever,"
Medcalf tells me. "It'll also have Peter Bowles and
Belinda Lang in it." The
play opens in April and will be directed by Sir Peter Hall. He's said to
have been "very struck" by Medcalf when auditioning her at his London
home. "It's obviously daunting working with Peter, but that's nothing
compared to sharing a stage with Judi Dench," she adds. "I've not met her
yet, but obviously hope to learn lots from her." Dench Confirms Bliss for Hay Fever at Haymarket 23rd September 2005 - What's on Stage News As previously tipped (See The Goss, 14 Jun 2005), Dame Judi Dench will return to the West End – and more specifically, the Theatre Royal Haymarket, where she last appeared with fellow Dame Maggie Smith in David Hare’s sell-out The Breath of Life in 2002 – in the New Year to star in Sir Peter Hall’s new production of Noel Coward’s Hay Fever. Though exact dates have not yet been set, according to today's Daily Mail, the comedy is due to open in April 2006. In Hay Fever, bohemian actress Judith Bliss (Dench) and her writer husband live in a rural haven with their precocious son and daughter. When various guests are invited down for the weekend, they become pawns in the family’s emotional, madcap games ...
Thanks to Lisa S, UK, for sharing this From the Evening Standard, Aug. 18, 2005 DAME Judi Dench is set to star alongside Peter Bowles in a production of Noel Coward's Hay Fever, directed by Sir Peter Hall. Rehearsals start in March next year, and the show will open in April though a venue has yet to be confirmed. Daily Mail Article -- 09/23/05
Dame Judi has said
that she "plans to do this play in
British producer Bill Kenwright / Director Peter Hall ... Thanks to Diane P, UK, for sharing this
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