Blithe Spirit

Continuing with the theme of presenting plays from the 1940’s in this their 75th Anniversary year, Claire Cameron’s production of Noel Coward’s comedy “Blithe Spirit” was a delight to both the eyes and the ears. On a beautiful 1930’s country house drawing room set, designed and built by company stalwart Allen Perrin and dressed by Maralyn Allan, the cast of 7 experienced actors delivered Coward’s witty dialogue with panache. Trevor Nicol as Charles Condomine was the epitome of a successful writer of the period whether in Dinner Suit mixing Dry Martini’s or in country tweeds eating a hearty breakfast. He managed to make the difficult task of speaking to two wives – one earthly and one ethereal – look perfectly normal! Caroline MacPherson as his earthly wife Ruth gave an excellent portrayal of a woman getting more and more frustrated and angry with her husband’s interaction with his - to her unseen – deceased first wife. It is an extremely good actress who can manage to speak to an empty space whilst reacting to a character who is actually on stage with her without once looking at the other actor – this Caroline managed without once defaulting. Aileen Hendry’s portrayal of the ghost of Charles’s first wife Elvira – both mischievous and catty- was also outstanding and had the audience in stitches. Christine Fletcher as the mystic Madame Arcati played the part with, for me, just the right amount of flamboyance. Strong support was given by Ian Shearer and Fiona Chapman as the Condimine’s friends Dr and Mrs Bradman. Ann Bamborough in the small but integral role of Edith the maid made the most of the humour in the part. Congratulations to all involved for another wonderful production.

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