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Blithe Spirit by Noel Coward
(Director Pete Talman) Noel Coward’s comic masterpiece evokes the spirit of the time—the spirit of the 1930’s, the spirit of marital relationships, the spirit of the Other World. Charles and his second wife Ruth are haunted by the ghost of his first wife, Elvira. Medium Madame Arcati tries to help things out by contacting the ghost…
Blithe Spirit, Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne.
Noel Coward’s original production of Blithe Spirit opened in 1941 and audiences today are still enjoying it. Coward described his play as ‘a superficial comedy about a ghost’. This, one of his wittiest comedies, makes light of death.
The play opens as Charles and his second wife Ruth are preparing for a seance in order for Charles to obtain background for a book he is writing. However, he unknowingly conjures up his first wife Elvira, beautifully played by Jan Wyld.
The whole cast worked well together as a team with superb performances by John Billingham (Charles) and Tracie Beardsley (Ruth). I am afraid I did not believe in Sammy Boyles portrayal of Madam Arcati which was a little odd and most of the time over-the-top.
Edith, who was in fact the cause of all the trouble. Mark Ritchie and Jan Farringdon made the most of their small roles as Dr and Mrs Bradman.
The costumes were excellent and enhanced the whole ambience of the play as did the set which was realistic. The sound and lighting effects added to this extremely enjoyable and well-paced production.
—Lynn Richell, Bournemouth Echo
