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BLITHE SPIRIT by Noël Coward
Venue:Globe/Gielgud 1970
Directed by Nigel Patrick



Cast
Edith Sylvia Brayshay
Ruth Ursula Howells
Charles Patrick Cargill
Dr Bradman
John Hart Dyke
Mrs Bradman
Daphne Newton
Madame Arcati
Beryl Reid
Elvira Amanda Reis

Review

Noël Coward’s “Blithe Spirit." first seen almost thirty years ago, is still much alive, as we see in the revival at the Globe. It is lesser Coward, but excellent entertainment all the same. We have the antics of the ghostly Elvira, brought back into the life of her husband, now married again, by that memorable personage Madame Arcati, being highly diverting for one half of the play, then, relatively, falling into an area of straining for invention and effect. Yet the whole winds up in lively Coward style, and one has had an enjoying evening.

The scenes of shining craft, perfect dialogue and fascinating characterisation, are a delight, and have been directed with close understanding and skill by Nigel Patrick. Even the scenes which, today, explain a little too much and go on a little too long, have Mr Patrick's sure touch for wit and a nice gloss. Beryl Reid is an absolutely convincing and compelling Madame Arcati with a soft Scots accent. The blending in Arcati’s character of the down-to-earth with the fey and the ridiculous is very finely realised. There is much wit in the performance, humour springing right from the heart of the woman, and a building up of character which never falters in values and effectiveness.

Patrick Cargill is outstanding as Charles, getting more out of the part than one would think possible, and all in the spirit of the thing, blithe and gay, are Phyllis Calvert (recast post this review), John Hart Dyke, Daphne Newton and Sylvia Brayshay. Amanda Reiss is a very good Elvira, but I still remember with joy the original, played so wonderfully by Kay Hammond. There is a setting well in tune with the piece by Pamela Ingram and Joe Davis's lighting also plays its clever part.