Audition Wednesday 4th November, 7.30pm in the Jetty
Blithe Spirit
by Noël Coward
director: Andy Smith
Performance dates: March 9th - 13th
Blithe Spirit is a comedy first performed in 1941 and revived frequently since. Likely set just before World War 2, Coward described the play as ‘an improbable farce in three acts’ although we'll only have one interval. The first filmed version, from 1945 and which sticks reasonably closely to the plot, is available on ITV1.
Plot
Charles is about to write a murder mystery novel featuring a psychic, and has invited Madame Arcarti to dinner along with the Bradmans in order to hold a séance with the four of them afterwards. He wishes to collect information about the jargon and ‘tricks’ but she knows nothing about his intentions.
During the séance the ghost of his first wife, Elvira, appears and causes mayhem after the guests have departed: over the following days Ruth - Charles's present wife - is killed and then also appears as a ghost while Madame Arcarti tries to send Elvira back to ‘the other side’.
Edith and Charles both have ‘accidents’ which the doctor attends to while Madame Arcarti tries various methods to send the ghosts away. There’s flying plates, people throwing flowers at each other, pictures falling off walls and general mayhem, all to the tune of ‘Always’ (Irving Berlin).
Character information
The ages of the characters have some flexibility but it's important that Elvira is younger than Ruth, who is younger than Charles – these differences are referred to in the text, and the references can be tweaked if need be. The Bradmans are a couple in their middle years, probably similar in age to Ruth and Charles.
Charles Condomine: (playing age 40-60) a successful writer married to Elvira for 5yrs and then, after a space of at least two years, to Ruth, also for 5yrs. He is a witty socialite with a ruthless streak with, initially, no belief in the supernatural.
Ruth Condomine: (playing age 35-50) second wife of Charles, this is also her 2nd marriage. She is smart, self-assured, intelligent and can hold her own in discussions with Charles. She, too, has no belief in the supernatural initially.
Elvira Condomine: (playing age 25-35) died laughing at a radio programme whilst recovering from pneumonia caught when out boating with an illicit beau. She appears as she did when she died, in a negligée/housecoat/dressing-gown. Described as fascinating, maddening, physically attractive, immoral and with gay charm (amongst other things), she has been played by both Joanna Lumley and Judi Dench.
Madame Arcarti: (playing age over 45 but fit enough to ride a bicycle). A professional (and genuine) psychic, medium and writer, she has been successful enough to move to the country from London. Striking, confident and open, dresses practically but slightly eccentrically.
Dr George Bradman: the local doctor, pleasant manner, able to be professionally perceptive. Sceptical about all matters supernatural.
Mrs Violet Bradman: the doctor’s wife. Sympathetic, with a sense of humour and a more open mind about the supernatural.
Edith: (playing age 20-35) the newly-appointed maid, recently demobed from the WRENS and as a result tends to run to her duties unless reminded to slow down. She is revealed at the end of the play to be psychic.
Other info
Scripts are available for short term loan from Sudbury Library (in the green SDS box by the customer services desk at rear) and rehearsals will commence in early January 2027. Any queries or further information email director Andy Smith at: crouchgreen@hotmail.co.uk
