Blithe Spirit

“Blithe Spirit” by Noel Coward has been a favourite of both professional and amateur theatre groups and their audiences for many years.  The subject matter may be macabre but it never fails to amuse and entertain and Clavering Players certainly know how to put on a production that keeps their audience focused until the very end.

We were greeted with an open stage, as is necessary in this venue, depicting an excellent set. A well furnished living room complete with fireplace and as far as I could see, everything else one would expect to find in a comfortable home of the era. 

Charles is researching his latest novel and wants to find out more about the occult. He calls upon Madame Arcarti to perform a séance in the presence of himself, his wife Ruth and their friends Violet and Dr. Bradman. Things don’t work out as planned however when Charles’ first wife Elvira appears as a ghostly presence visible only to him.

Teresa Hennessy was excellent as Edith the psychic maid, always rushing around and eager to please.  There were other strong performances from Peter Clyne as Charles the successful novelist and from Charlotte Foster as Ruth the rather straight laced second wife.

Jennifer Scott-Reid was brilliant as Madame Arcati.  Her costume perfectly conveyed her eccentricity, from the tasseled hat and earphones hairdo to the sensible skirt and shoes.

Rachael Betts as Elvira was a wonderfully ethereal vision floating around the set.  Very well played.  

There were other good performances from Jean Schofield as Violet and Judy Curry as Dr. Bradman .The latter being a role written for a man but which worked well with a female actor.

I was aware of the prompt being brought in on two occasions but this did not in any way mar the action.

Congratulations to Keith Nuttall on his direction of this wonderfully comic play.

A special mention must go to the set builders for incorporating some startling special effects.

This was a very enjoyable production by a company of experienced actors who obviously love what they do. 

What a pleasurable way to spend a Sunday afternoon.  Thank you for inviting me.

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