Blithe Spirit by Noël Coward
Noël Coward's play is described as "an improbable
farce". It was reprised in 2004 by director Denise Cooper, but was first
presented on 19th and 20th May 1976 (which were a Wednesday and Thursday,
strangely enough). It was directed by Aubrey Brown.
In the play, Charles Condomine has arranged a dinner party and séance to help
him research his latest mystery book. As he says to his second wife Ruth, he
wishes to meet "a real professional charlatan - a complete impostor" on which to
base the lead character of his book. To this end, he invites Madame Arcati -
psychic, medium, author and general eccentric - to entertain them with her
"tricks of the trade".
Unfortunately for everyone, Madame Arcati's tricks work too well and an
uninvited guest puts in an appearance - Charles' first wife Elvira - who has
been dead for seven years!
As an aside the programme encourages potential members
to join the group at a cost of $2. At the time of writing this (2009) the
membership fee is still $2!
Blithe
Spirit Programme (1976 version)
(pdf file, 316,943 bytes)
Noël Coward Biography
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