Blithe Spirit

The production is directed by the renowned Richard Eyre. A winner of an astonishing five Olivier Awards, and also a Lifetime Achievement Award, Eyre is one of the most prolific theatre directors of this generation. Blithe Spirit is a revival of the 1941 classic by Noel Coward about death and the afterlife. Written and performed during the Second World War, it was a comic look at death, the afterlife, and the horrors of marriage.

Despite being rather silly, Coward’s skilful writing ensures that the comedy brings out the pain and loss through his characters. Eyre wonderfully adds in glimpses of emotion that only seem to add to the absurdity of the situation at hand. The cast, in particular, won critical acclaim during the production’s run at the Theatre Royal Bath. Jennifer Saunders’ role as Madame Arcati is textbook perfect. She wonderfully captures the eccentricities, while adding her unique touch of humour. Emma Naomi is perfect as the beautiful and self-centred Elvira and Lisa Dillon as the nagging Ruth. Anthony Ward is in charge of the design and combined with Eyre’s precise direction, the comic interplay between fantasy and reality is brilliantly portrayed.

Do not miss this excellently crafted production during its short six-week run at the Duke of Yorks Theatre!

The Story

Charles Condomine is a novelist who lives with his wife Ruth. One day he calls an eccentric medium, Madame Arcati, to his house, to gather some information for his next novel. The scheme, however, backfires. She conjures up the ghost of Charles’s first wife, Elvira, who has been dead for more than seven years, during the ritual.

To make matters worse, this annoying ghost is only visible to Charles and is determined to take revenge on him. The ghost creates havoc in his marriage life and aims to make Charles’ life a living hell. The ghostly Elvira makes increasingly desperate attempts to disrupt Charles’ life and plans to kill him so that he can join her in the spirit world.

Will Charles find a way to escape from the ghost of his first wife? Will Elvira’s scheme to kill Charles backfire on her, leading to her ultimate demise?

Good for

Date Night | Fans of Richard Eyre | Comedy Lovers