BLITHE SPIRIT

This piece is a real classic, a masterpiece from Noel Coward, and has been a popular choice for groups since it was premiered in 1941, but this talented company gave it a fresh look. Whisking us back in time, the set and props were just perfect together with the lovely theme music ‘Always’, in fact the Stage Design team did wonders with the space available. I have truly never seen this stage look so vast. The cast could move around comfortably, and there were no hiccups with entrances and exits. Costumes, hairstyles were very much of the period, but slightly on the downside, footwear is an area that many groups fail to think about, and one must be careful that cast walking on stage can be distracting, if the correct footwear is not worn.

Researching the occult for his latest book, successful novelist, Charles Condomine, invites the local eccentric medium, Madam Arcarti to his house, who inadvertently summons Charles’s dead wife, Elvira. Then the fun starts. Commanding performance from Gavin Baldwin as Charles Condomine, endorsing his experience in stage craft with this role. Lara Crawford gave us a prudish, starchy portrayal of Charles’s second wife Ruth, never believing her husband’s claims until a vase floats across the room. I thoroughly enjoyed the contribution from Lorna Hughes as the dead Elvira, Charles’s first wife. Her characterisation gave a ‘Joan Greenwood’ feel to the role. Judith Williams took on the role of eccentric clairvoyant Madam Arcati with gusto, relishing the opportunity to practise her occult. This was a demanding role and Judith came up with all the answers, whether knitting or jumping excitedly around, she was never out of character throughout, and she extracted every ounce of comedy from the script, to the delight of the audience. Solid, dependable performances from Richard Williams and Helen Thomas as Doctor and Mrs Bradman respectively, who were also invited to witness the séance, whilst Simone Baldwin’s portrayal of the uptight psychic maid Edith, who ran everywhere, was spot on.

Again the Company had really done their homework with this piece, and the Director, cast and crew, deserved a larger audience. Nevertheless, it did not deter them from presenting this marvellous piece of drama and receiving an accolade to be proud of, from an appreciative audience. Thank you all once again.

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