Blithe Spirit

I was fortunate enough to see the London production of Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit in what was to be the late Angela Lansbury’s last stage performance, so a fitting tribute to her and for Hartley Players’ long-awaited return to the stage since 2019. 

For the uninitiated this witty tale concerns Charles Condomine a novelist researching a new book. To this end, he's invited round a local mystic, Madame Arcati, to conduct a séance for him, his wife Ruth, and some friends Dr. & Mrs. Bradman, but with the subterfuge of exposing her as a charlatan and using her as subject material. An unexpected result is the appearance of the spirit of Elvira, his seven years departed wife. As Condomine is the only one who can see or communicate with her ghost, confusion and pandemonium follow. Ruth and Elvira compete for his affections, and chaos ensues.

The set and props were good, reminiscent of a 1930’s upper class living room. Lighting well managed. The curtains closed every time there was a scene change and although probably necessary seemed a bit of a hiatus. The ghostly hauntings of objects flying off shelves and pictures falling off walls was cleverly done.  Costumes were mostly good but some of the ladies’ outfits didn’t really reflect the 1930’s era when hemlines were calf length.

Holding the stage with real presence throughout the evening, Andy Noakes as Charles Condomine shone in a role which demands much of any performer.  Carol Arman-Addey was a no-nonsense presence as Ruth Condomine, giving a perfectly period performance which also went some way in establishing just the right tone of the piece. Two solid performances from Martin Pickering and Jo Frances Matthews as Doctor and Mrs Bradman added further weight to the production. Edith the inept maid is an on-off role, but Jean Bentley made a good job of it with a very amusing performance, she came into her own in the last scene. Then, we have the classic character of Madame Arcati, playing all her eccentricities to the full by Judy Burrows. Perfect casting was Jan Mackney as Elvira, every inch the mischievous sprite, a wonderfully vivid creation. The sparkling repartee between Elvira and Charles was very well done.

Coward’s dialogue demands pace and impeccable delivery. That the cast met this challenge so well is a tribute to their talent and hard work. Direction by Nick Noakes gave us a controlled and humorous take on a classic play.

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