by Bernard Cuffling
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The story goes that Noel Coward was exhausted one summer after the heat and a busy season in New York and was asked by an actress (possibly the great Laurette Taylor) if he would like to leave Manhattan for a few days and rest up with her family in the country. He described the weekend as hell on wheels, a frenzy of socializing and playing party games, with not a moment's peace. Well the result was he wrote this absolute charmer of a piece Hay Fever and ever since its first night in 1925 it has been a staple of drawing room comedy. I was lucky to see a production in 1964 at the National Theatre (the Old Vic) in London with the celebrated actress Dame Edith Evans playing Judith Bliss and Dame
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Maggie Smith playing Myra Arundel (Dame Maggie, much later played the role of Judith in Robin Phillip's splendid production at the Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Ontario). I fell in love with the comedy then and that love affair has stayed with me!
Coward's musical sense, and his understanding of comedy and farce and let us not forget his charm in Hay Fever justify his theatrical nickname "The Master". I would like to thank the artistic director Jeremy Tow for giving me the opportunity to direct the ever popular Hay Fever. Forget the winter chill and enjoy this spring offering.
Noel Coward's advice to actors:
"If you must have motivation, think of your paycheck on Friday. Learn the lines and don't bump into the furniture."
Biography
Bernard Cuffling is the quintessential thespian artist; an award-winning stage and film actor, and director. Renowned for his wit, grace and understated sense of humour, Cuffling is a pillar in Western Canada's entertainment industry. His many award credits include: Sam Payne Award (ACTA), B.C. Entertainment Hall of Fame, three-time Jessie Richardson Award winner.
Bernard is no stranger to the Chemainus Theatre Festival. In the past he has directed The Importance of Being Earnest and Charley's Aunt for the company as well as appearing in You Never Can Tell, Queen Milli of Gault, An Inspector Calls and last season in The Perfect Wife. His recent Vancouver stage credits include: the angel Clarence in It's a Wonderful Life (Arts Club Theatre) and for direction, Absurd Person Singular (Arts Club Theatre).
Feature film credits include: Fido (with Carrie-Anne Moss and Billy Connolly), and The Egg Factory filmed in Victoria. Numerous television series: Breaker High (Brit Nigel Mumford), Titanic, Booker, and he has guest-starred in episodes of Highlander, RR Starbuck, MacGyver, Da Vinci's Inquest, and The Chris Isaak Show; television movies: Little Match Girl, Assault and Matrimony, and The Man Who Wouldn't Die.
Born in London, England, Cuffling began his stage career there in 1970 before moving to Canada. He now resides in Vancouver.
