REVIEWS REVIEWS
Directed by Thea Sharrock, Blithe Spirit provided a thoroughly entertaining evening with a play that engaged the audience. The Noel Coward play shows a tale of a husband pursued by the spirit of his dead first wife and the complications which arise through "living" with two wives for several days. Central to the play is the role of the medium, Madame Arcadi, who is enticed to the home of the Condomine's for dinner and to lead a séance as part of Charles Condomine's research for a novel. Madame Arcadi is a woman of eccentric style and manner, stereotyped as a medium. The challenge of this role fell to Penelope Keith, who was dressed to reflect eccentricity for the era and her lively movements and seated postures tried to convey this unconventional person. The audience were clearly delighted in her presence in the play.
Charles Condomine (Aden Gillett) thoroughly enjoyed the role of a husband to "two wives", once he recovered from the shock of the sudden appearance of his dead first wife, and moved seamlessly through the roles of playwright and distraught husband into actually enjoying the presence of two demanding women. The formal, officious second wife, Ruth Condomine (Joanna Riding) delivered a good performance underpinning the role with concern for her husband and it contrasted well with the "flowing" role of Elvira (Amanda Drew) as the first wife. A special mention should be made for Edith (Michelle Terry) as the maid, who accentuated every aspect of the role, conjuring up the impression of a newly appointed, shy, awkward servant who was trying to impress and creating the natural antics that the audience could readily laugh with.
Good casting by Peter Hall for this play added to the characterisation, and the simplicity of the story by Noel Coward just makes for a relaxing evening in the Theatre Royal, Bath. © JG
“Blithe Spirit” is in Bath on the 18th of August until the 4th of September, 2004.
