| Directed by | Susannah Donovan |
| Production Manager | Micaela Craven |
| Performance Dates | July 1st – July 11th 2026 |
| Rehearsals | Tue/Thu 7:30pm, Sun 4:00pm Dates: from April 28th |
Hay Fever is a farcical comedy by legendary actor and writer Noel Coward. Set in the 1920s, the action takes place in an English manor house belonging to the Bliss family. Unbeknownst to each other, each member of the Bliss family has invited a guest to stay for the weekend. A series of misunderstandings leads to hilarious hijinks.
Who we are looking for
We are seeking a cast of 9 roles: 5 females and 4 males. The setting is 1920s England at a manor house in the country.
If you are cast in the show, you are required to join Wellington Repertory Theatre (WRT), with an annual fee of between $25 and $35. This also entitles you to discounts on other WRT shows.
Audition details and preparation
You must book an audition time by completing the online audition form. The Production Manager will then be in touch to confirm your booking, give you an audition time, and send you script extracts so you can prepare for your audition.
Auditions will be held in groups, using extracts from the script. You don’t need to learn lines, but do be familiar with the audition pieces.
Please complete the audition form below to register your interest
Audition Details and Venue
| Audition Dates | Sunday April 19th, 2pm – 6pm |
| Venue | Toi Pōneke |
Character Descriptions
Please note that the age ranges shown below are a guide only. As always, eventual casting is likely to be determined in the context of the wider group of cast members.
| Character | Description |
| Judith Bliss | Mother to Simon and Sorel, and wife of David Bliss. She has recently retired from acting on stage. Judith lives for drama. She is overly dramatic in everything she does. She invites Sandy Tyrell as a weekend guest. There is an opportunity for the actress playing Judith to perform a song. Female, Age range 40+ |
| David Bliss | Father of Sorel and Simon, and husband of Judith. He is a successful writer. Droll and self-absorbed. He invites Jackie Coryton as a weekend guest. Male, Age range 40+ |
| Sorel Bliss | Daughter of Judith and David. Wise beyond her years. She may be the only one who truly sees the Bliss family as they are, but that does not stop her from participating in the hijinks. She invites Richard Greatham as a weekend guest. Female, Age range 20’s |
| Simon Bliss | Son of Judith and David. An artist who draws caricatures. Often sarcastic. He invites Myra Arundel as a weekend guest. Male, Age range 20’s |
| Myra Arundel | Confident, sophisticated, and astute. She knows what she wants, but even she is not prepared for what the Bliss family throws at her. Invited for the weekend by Simon. Female, Age range 30’s |
| Richard Greatham | An English diplomat. Reserved, and appears to be uptight. Invited for the weekend by Sorel. Male, Age range 30’s – 40’s |
| Jackie Coryton | A young flapper. Sweet but not too sharp. Invited for the weekend by David. Female, Age range 20’s |
| Sandy Tyrell | Athletic boxer with a crush on Judith. Good-natured and affable. Invited for the weekend by Judith. Male, Age range 20’s – 30’s. |
| Clara | Worked for most of her life as Judith’s dresser in the theatre. Now that Judith has retired she is now her housekeeper. Bad at her new job and quite rude to people. Female, Age range 40’s+ |
Audition Form