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Theatre Reviews
Blithe Spirit

DETAILS
Venue: Savoy Theatre Strand WC2R 0ET Tube: Charing Cross, Embankment or Temple Performances: Mon – Sat, 7.30pm Mats Thu & Sat 2:30 Duration: about 2 hours Price: UKP15-UKP40	To order tickets: Savoy Theatre Click here to order tickets for showings at Savoy Theatre (opened: Nov 22, 2004)

Reviews:

12/04 (Savoy Theatre, original cast)

The Problem of Poor Pomposity
Noel Coward's longest running play returns to the West End with Penelope Keith as madcap medium Madam Arcati.

TO RESEARCH his latest novel, author Charles Condomine (Aden Gillett) and second wife Ruth (Joanna Riding) invite madcap medium Madam Arcati (Penelope Keith) to hold a seance at their seaside mansion. They anticipate little more than some light post-dinner entertainment, but the couple's expectations are turned upside down when the ghost of Charles's first wife Elvira (Amanda Drew) is conjured up, plunging them all into domestic chaos.

Blithe Spirit is Noel Coward's longest running play and was his own personal favourite. Filled to the brim with caustic asides and slapstick set pieces the play is as sharp and funny as ever.

Sadly though, director Thea Sharrock's production fails to deliver a cast to match the quality of the prose. Yes, Penelope Keith is a hoot as the bohemian psychic and Joanna Riding is compelling as Ruth. However, the remainder of the players simply don't convince as the upper-crust targets of pomposity so carefully constructed by Coward. Amanda Drew's accent in particular seems to veer between plummy and plain and worst of all both are delivered with a bizarre and wholly unconvincing ghostly whine.

Thankfully, despite these aural concerns, the play remains an enjoyable foray into the malaise at the root of marital relations. The location helps too; with the resplendent Savoy Theatre in all its Art Deco glory providing the perfect backdrop to get you in the mood for this period piece.

(Peter D. Clee)

Click here to order tickets for showings at Savoy Theatre (opened: Nov 22, 2004)