Boxer, Gilbreath, Secombe Lead HAY FEVER At The Rose Theatre, Opens Sept 23

The cast for Noël Coward's Hay Fever at the Rose Theatre will be led by Celia Imrie as Judith Bliss from 23 September - 9 October and Nichola McAuliffe, who will take over the role from 11 - 23 October. Also in the cast will be Stephen Boxer, Alexandra Gilbreath, Holly Jones, Adrian Lukis, Georgia Maguire, Joshua McGuire, Katy Secombe and Sam Swainsbury.

Stephen Boxer will play David Bliss. Stephen has worked for the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal National Theatre and, on television, played Dr Joe Fenton in the BBC television series Doctors and DCI Thorndike in Prime Suspect (ITV). He co-founded the Paines Plough Theatre Company.

Alexandra Gilbreath will play Myra Arundel. Alexandra has worked extensively for the RSC and was awarded the Ian Charleson Award for her performance in Hedda Gabler at the Donmar in 1998, directed by Stephen Unwin.

Celia Imrie is an Olivier award-winning actress, recently seen on stage in Plague Over England at the Duchess Theatre and The Rivals at Southwark Playhouse. Celia is a familiar face on TV as Gloria Millington in Kingdom, Philippa in Dinnerladies and Miss Babs in Acorn Antiques. On film, she has starred in St Trinian's, Calendar Girls, and Bridget Jones's Diary.

Holly Jones will play Jackie Coryton in her first professional role since leaving LAMDA earlier this year.

Adrian Lukis returns to the Rose after playing Sir Robert Morton in The Winslow Boy in 2008. Adrian will play Richard Greatham. His recent theatre roles include
The Philadelphia Story at the Old Vic and The Front Page at Chichester. Adrian's TV appearances include Marc Thompson in Judge John Deed and Dr David Shearer in Peak Practice. Adrian played Mr Wickham in the BBC series Pride and Prejudice.

Kingston born Georgia Maguire makes her professional theatre debut playing Sorel Bliss. Georgia recently graduated from LAMDA; she has appeared in Missing (BBC) and Ashes to Ashes (BBC).

Nichola McAuliffe won an Olivier award for her role as Kate in the RSC's Kiss Me Kate and has appeared in numerous stage productions, including the role of The Baroness in the West End's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Queen Victoria in the RSC's Poppy and Gina in Peter Hall's production of The Wild Duck. Nichola is well known for playing Shelia Sabatini in the ITV sitcom Surgical Spirit.

Joshua McGuire will play Simon Bliss following his performances in Posh at the Royal Court and King John for the RSC.

Katy Secombe will play Cara. Katy has worked extensively for the National Theatre (Guys and Dolls, The Winter's Tale, Mother Clap's Molly House) and in the West End (Les Misérables and Mamma Mia!) and The Music Man (Chichester).

Sam Swainsbury will play Sandy Tyrell. Last year Sam appeared in The Merchant of Venice and A Midsummer Night's Dream with Propeller at the Rose, as part of an international tour. Sam has recently worked with Celia Imrie in The Rivals at Southwark Playhouse.

Hay Fever will be directed by Stephen Unwin, the Artistic Director of the Rose. His recent productions include Miss Julie, A Christmas Carol and The Winslow Boy. Stephen foundEd English Touring Theatre in 1993 and directed almost thirty productions of new and classical work for the company both on tour and in the West End. Set design will be by Simon Higlett, with costumes by Mia Flodquist, lighting by Paul Pyant, sound by John Leonard and original music by John Leonard.