Hay Fever by Noel Coward
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Transcript Hay Fever by Noel Coward
Mallory Carty
TJ Preston
Kallie Jung
Kathleen Duke
Summer
of 1920’s in Cookham, England. A
June afternoon to morning. In the Bliss’
house, the play is set mostly in their hall.
Family
of four: David, Judith, Sorel, Simon
Each member invites a friend for the
weekend
David- Jackie
Judith- Sandy
Sorel- Richard
Simon- Myra
Family
tries to act civilized for their guests
As the day unfolds, each guest looks to
another family member for comfort.
The family soon shows their dysfunction,
which ends up scaring away their guests.
Guests soon plot their escape only one day
into the weekend.
When
the family member’s found out they
each invited a guest without telling anyone
Immediately works up friction among the
family
Tension doesn’t reside even when guests
arrive
The
family and guests play a parlor game (a
form of charades)
Craziness of the family starts to really show
Family issues- you can assume that this
particular family has a complex, twisted past
that interferes with their relationship today,
stemming from their differing personalities.
Relationship issues/adultery- as the guests find
solace in a different family member that invited
them, relationships are torn apart and marriages
are ruined
Line between sanity/insanity- we see how the
family as a whole covers up their insane attitude
from their guests for only a short time, and that
when revealed, the guests aren’t remotely
attracted to them.
Communication
is key
The family only falls into chaos because of
their miscommunication. The guests don’t
understand the family or anything they say,
which is the downfall of the weekend.
Judith
(mother)- retired actress in her late
40’s, she wants to start theater back up.
Melodramatic and one for theatrics, she isn’t
concerned with solving the problems in an
argument.
Simon (son)- early 20’s, unemployed, and a
control freak, Simon takes after his mother;
he’s passive aggressive and rather selfish
Sorel
(daughter)- early 20’s, Sorel is more of
a daddy’s girl. She has anger issues, as she’s
always bickering with Simon, but cares for
her guests and wants the best for the family.
Not
one person, like in most plays
Whole family is the protagonist, since the
play focuses primarily on the family as a
whole
The family itself is innocent in the play, and
the problem doesn’t stem from their
insanity; their insanity simply magnifies the
problem.
Not
one person, like the protagonist.
Guests as a whole are the antagonists. They
create the tension that ultimately fuels the
arguments the family has.
Judith
monologue page 15
Scene between 4 guests page 57
Simon monologue page 21
Scene between 4 family members page 60
Scene between Myra/ David page 44
Sorel monologue page 27
Winsomely:
an engaging manner (mentioned
during game)
Saucily: an impudent or impertinent
manner(mentioned during game)
Diplomatist: an official engaged in
international negotiations (Richard’s
occupation)
Dieppe: French city (they visited there,
shows they’re upper class)
Slapdash: careless/reckless manner
(describes family
Bohemian:
unconventional, especially in
appearance or behavior (Richard describes
the family as such)
Blasé: nonchalantly unconcerned (Sorel
describes Simon as this)
Magnanimously: generous and understanding
(Judith sarcastically described as this)
Abject: showing humiliation/ submissiveness
(Jackie described as this)
Affectation: a deliberate pretense or
exaggerated display (Myra’s relationship with
David
Place
de Concorde: a road
Rue St. Honore: a road
Charlie Templeton: Canadian cartoonist
Maiden Head: City in the UK
Kallie
and Kathleen liked fast paced speed of
the show, TJ and Mallory didn’t.
Liked how each family member was their
own type of crazy
Liked the ending and how it shows the utter
insanity of the family
Got kind of confusing at times
Would recommend to a friend because it was
very funny, witty, and an overall good read.