A little touch of Hay Fever

Set in an English country house in the 1920s, the drama follows the achingly polite guests as they unknowingly stumble into the midst of their host family’s feuds, tantrums, outlandish behaviour and resentment.

Rather than tea and tennis, the Family Bliss share their secrets along with their true colours and horrify their captive audience in Coward’s intoxicating comedy of manners.

Originally written in 1924, Coward’s Hay Fever is just as popular today as it ever was.

And this production also has an extra special aspect as two of the lead actors are reunited on stage.

Fans of the popular 2011 Coliseum production of Private Lives, also written by Coward, may well recognise cast members Jackie Morrison and James Simmons (pictured above) who played the lead roles of Elyot and Amanda.

Here the pair combine once more to this time portray the glamorously-eccentric Judith Bliss and her tortured writer husband David.

The play runs until Saturday June 29. Box office: 0161 624 2829 or online at www.coliseum.org.uk

Award winning play The Rise and Demise of Kenneth Kennedy-Smythe makes a welcome return after seven years to celebrate ten years of Studio Salford next week.

The intriguing dark comedy by established writer Mike Heath will be showing Wednesday and Thursday – a blackly comic political satire which centres on two characters facing serious choices, exploring the power of the media in times of war.

Details: www.elysionproduction.co.uk. Tickets online at www.ticketweb.co.uk