Blithe Spirit

Coward wrote this play in 1941, during the blitz in London and decided that a light hearted approach to a comedy about ghosts would raise spirits.  Please excuse the pun!! Stowmarket SODS had performed this play twice before in 1951 and 1983 but it still holds it’s attraction now as it did all those years ago.  SODS were famous for their box sets which our dear friend David Snow produced back in the day and I’m sure he would have been proud that his tradition lives on.  This set had all the beautiful sleek lines that we associate with the art deco period with matching soft furniture. It was ingenious in it’s design as at the end of the play we see the ghosts trying to reek havoc as pictures fall off the wall and the  old fashioned gramophone certainly had a mind of it’s own.

The action takes place in the home of the novelist Charles Condomine (Johnny Ellis) and his wife Ruth (Cassandra Fisher) as they invite Madame Arcati (Pam Kemp) to conduct a séance for Charles to gather information for one of his novels. Johnny gives a great performance and looks totally at home in these 1940’s surroundings. Cassandra is impressive and kept up her high class accent throughout. Madame Arcati is eccentric to say the least and Pam throws herself literally into this role, with a touch of Hyacinth Bucket in her pronunciation and demeanour. Also invited to the séance are Dr and Mrs Bradman (Jon Wray and Michelle Holden). They both thrived and were totally believably in their respective roles.  Madame Arcati is unaware that she has summoned up the ghost of Elvira, Charles’ first wife, and after the guests have left Elvira appears to Charles. Sharon Preece plays Elvira  and captures her ethereal presence perfectly. That is when the fun really begins and the cast can then bring out the comedy in their roles. Last but not least, Edith the maid, played by Sophie Kemp gives a good performance in her cameo role.

I have already mentioned the impressive set and the costumes were all appropriate and of the period, although  I did feel a change of costume would have been appropriate for Mrs Bradman when she arrived  a couple of days later. The lighting was effective and much detail had gone into the interior lighting in the room.

It was a well cast production and all credit go to the talented cast in this quite long and very wordy play.  Well done to Martin and  the production team who gave us all a very light hearted and enjoyable evening.

Catherine Dixey. NODA East Representative District E12

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