Apparently Noël Coward wrote this play to spread cheer during the Second World War and it continues to amuse us today.
For those who don’t know the plot of Blithe Spirit prepare yourselves… the dead unknowingly bidden by whom, visit the living, with hilarious and lasting consequences.
In a nutshell an author, Charles Condomine in preparation to write his next book and to gain knowledge of the tricks of the psychic community, invites local medium Madame Arcati along with the local Doctor and his wife, to the home he shares with second wife Ruth for dinner and a séance.
Charles is a childish, selfish and self centred man when compared against either his clever current wife Ruth or first wife Elvira; who passed away … saying died is so crass in otherworldly circles.
Our most lively character is of course Madame Arcarti (Margaret Rutherford made the madness of this role her own!) played by Karen Henthorne with real northern gusto and who fabulously took over the room when she was in it.
Both Mrs Condomines were beautifully played especially when they were one on one with their husband which is when we get to see the true measure of him.
Without wanting to say too much the play has many humorous scenes where a ‘ghost’ (who can only be seen by one of the characters) is spoken to by a living character when another is in the same room.
Our stage set was perfectly ‘stark’ with no unnecessary pomp and just the right amount of lighting to take us where we needed to be to join in the séance scenes.
The outfits all of the actors wore were for me, oddly eclectic, and it also appeared Mrs & Dr Bradman had been ‘up first and best dressed’. Unfortunately I couldn’t get over the ridiculous out of place trousers which our writer Charles wore throughout the play which along with the jacket and tie combo made him Colonel Sanders-esque.
Madame Arcarti’s attire as expected were perfectly over the top for a character such as she.
The performance I attended sadly seemed to have a few fluffed lines which is always so noticeable in a Coward play as they rely so heavily on the delivery of the dialogue.
The theatre is a lovely little hidden gem but with cosy if a little cramped seating.
All the above said it was a delightful play and it can be seen at Hope Mill Theatre until 22 February
https://hopemilltheatre.co.uk/
Then continues its run at The Dukes, Lancaster from 25 Feb – 1 March
https://dukeslancaster.org/
