Durham University Classical Theatre proudly presents Noël Coward's 'Hay Fever' - 100 years after it was first performed! Step into the eccentric world of the Bliss family where drama, romance, and absurdity collide in a weekend of hilarious misadventures.

''Hay Fever' is a sparkling comedy of manners that invites audiences into the chaotic country home of the unconventional Bliss family. Retired actress Judith, her novelist husband David, and their high-spirited children, Simon and Sorel, each unknowingly invite a guest for the weekend - only to subject them to a whirlwind of emotional outbursts, theatrical tantrums, and bewildering social games. As the bemused visitors struggle to keep up with the family's eccentricities, misunderstandings and melodrama escalate, leaving them desperate to escape. Noël Coward’s razor-sharp wit and timeless humour make Hay Fever a delightful exploration of self-absorption, absurdity, and the art of performance.

£7.50 Standard

£7 Concession

£6.50 Durham Student Theatre Members

This play is taking place at the Sir Thomas Allen Assembly Rooms Theatre, 40 N Bailey, Durham, DH1 3ET.

The performance will begin at 7.30pm and last approximately 120 minutes with short interval. Doors will open 30 minutes before the play begins.

In the London Blitz of WW2, Alice’s life is turned upside down, and she and her friend Alfred are forced to shelter in a tube station bunker. When Alfred is quarantined, Alice encourages him to escape with her into their cherished book and journey down the rabbit hole to Wonderland.

In the rubble of the London Blitz of World War II, Alice Spencer’s budding teen life is turned upside down, and she and her dear friend Alfred are forced to take shelter in an underground tube station. When the ailing Alfred is quarantined, Alice encourages him to escape with her into their cherished book and journey down the rabbit hole to Wonderland.

 As they travel through the tale, Alice by Heart explores the poignancy of first love, coming to terms with loss, and finding the courage to move forward.

The story shifts between the surreal world of Wonderland and the starkness of the bomb shelter. Familiar characters like the Mad Hatter, Cheshire Cat, and Queen of Hearts emerge as figments of Alice’s imagination, mirroring the people in the shelter and the emotions Alice wrestles with. Wonderland becomes a metaphorical realm where Alice can confront her fears, grief, and feelings of powerlessness. This world-premiere musical encourages us all to celebrate the transformational power of the imagination, even in the harshest of times.

£10 Standard

£8 Concession

£7.50 Durham Student Music Members

This event is taking place at the Sir Thomas Allen Assembly Rooms Theatre, 40 N Bailey, Durham, DH1 3ET.

The performances will begin at 7.30pm (or 2.30pm on the matinee), and last for approximately 105 minutes with a short interval. Doors will open 30 minutes before the performance begins.