Noel Coward's Hay Fever, often referred to as one of the world's most hilarious plays, is the latest production of Shanghai expat theater group Urban Aphrodite.

The play, which premiered on London's West End in 1925, centers on the eccentric Bliss family, made up of matriarch Judith (an actress), her husband David (a renowned author), and their two children, all of whom vie to be the center of attention. Set in the family's summer house, each of the four invites a guest for the weekend without consulting the others. Such is the behavior of the family that each of the guests - a diplomat, a flapper, a boxer and a sophisticate - are driven to leave.

"Coward is known as one of the best comedians," said director Ann James. "He had close connections to Shanghai. He lived here for a while, in the Peace Hotel, and that is where his comedy Private Lives was written."

Hay Fever is based on a real family from New York with whom Coward spent a lot of time. "Coward was inspired to write the play by an eccentric actress Laurette Taylor and her family," said James. "Although the Taylors were so outrageous and so over the top, people still loved them and loved spending time with them."

Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, which James directed just a few months ago, was itself based on Coward's Hay Fever. "I think it will be really interesting for the audience to see the history of Woolf and where the inspiration came from through Hay Fever," said James.

There are nine parts in the play, and the cast of the Shanghai production includes well-known names on the city's theater scene such as Mark Edwards, Mustaq Missouri, Sara Garcia and Virginia Withers. "This is the biggest play, cast-wise, that I have ever directed in Shanghai," said James.

James set the play in 1932, which was the year of the play's revival on Broadway. "Both the set and the costumes are 1930s style and they look amazing," said James.

The show will run from May 23 to June 2. There will be a special "Ladies Only" brunch matinee on June 2 starting at 12:30 pm. The ticket for the matinee is 400 yuan ($65.23) all inclusive with a free glass of bubbly if you wear a hat.

"Hay Fever is for everyone to enjoy and have a laugh. It is great for families, and couples, and it's easily accessible to the local audience," said James.

Date: 7:30 pm, May 23 to June 2, Thursdays to Sundays only

Venue: Sasha's

Address: 11 Dongping Road

东平路11号

Admission: 200 yuan (reservation), 220 yuan (door) E-mail to tickets@urbanaphrodite.nl or call 187-2152-8625 for details