Review: BLITHE SPIRIT, The Attic Theatre Stratford Upon Avon
Photo Credit: Andrew Maguire
Whilst it was a gloriously sunny day in Stratford-Upon-Avon, with many people picnicking beside the river, we were excited to be heading to the Attic Theatre at Cox’s Yard to watch Blithe Spirit, the latest production from Tread the Boards Theatre Company. With its high ceiling and wooden rafters, this immediately felt like an ideal venue for Nöel Coward’s 1941 ghostly comedy.
The play revolves around novelist Charles Condomine, who is writing a book about a medium and wants to learn the “tricks of the trade”. He invites local psychic Madame Arcati to lead a séance at his home, where they are joined by his second wife Ruth and their friends the Bradmans, who all find the situation highly amusing. However, things take a sharp turn, when Madame Arcati unwittingly brings Charles’ first wife Elvira back from the spirit realm.
Edith the maid (Florence Sherratt) starts the show with great comedic style, performing all her duties at a hundred miles per hour. Without saying a word, she gets a good chuckle from the audience, setting the tone perfectly for the rest of the show.
We are also introduced to Dr and Mrs Bradman, friends of the Condomines who have been invited to make up the numbers for the séance. Robert Moore confidently plays a very sceptical Dr Bradman, with some very sarcastic one-liners and comically raised eyebrows. Matilda Bott is a delight as the more open-minded Mrs Bradman, giving her character a wide-eyed innocence and enthusiasm.
Den Woods is hilarious as the madcap medium Madame Arcati, who is startled and overjoyed by the results of her séance, much to the obvious chagrin of the Condomines. Woods plays the delightfully eccentric Arcati with vigour, and provides several laugh-out-loud moments throughout.
The three protagonists of the play, Charles Condomine (John-Robert Partridge), Ruth Condomine (Rosie Coles) and the spectral Elvira (Katherine de Halpert) work wonderfully well together in their three-way sparring sessions, with a real highlight being the scene where Charles is arguing with Elvira, whilst seemingly insulting Ruth, who cannot see the spirit of his first wife. Partridge does a fantastic job of portraying Charles who can seem at times quite unlikelable, but Partridge really leans into the bewilderment of the character, making the audience empathise with the impossibility of dealing with his situation.
Rosie Coles gives an outstanding performance as Ruth in her Tread the Boards debut, perfectly portraying the mistress of the house with an initial elegant demeanour that soon gives way to anger and frustration when events spiral out of control. Meanwhile, Katherine de Halpert steals the show as the mischievous spirit of Elvira. With seductive winks, graceful movements and brazenly sharp remarks, we simply cannot take our eyes away from de Halpert every time that she is onstage.
Overall the show is very well thought out, under the creative direction of Jonas Cemm. The dialogue is perhaps a little fast-paced at the beginning of the first act, but the actors found their rhythm as the performance progressed. There is some clever choreography between Coles’ Ruth and de Halpert’s Elvira, as the two wives battle, despite Ruth being unable to see Elvira. In fact, the cast as a whole do a tremendous job of avoiding eye contact or addressing Elvira.
The costuming and make-up is impressive, with each character getting several wardrobe changes, all perfectly in fitting with the 1940s period. Elvira’s ghostly gown and long flowing white wig particularly stand out, which offset her perfectly against Ruth’s rather prim, bourgeois outfits.
The set design, from Adam Clarke and Sue Kent, is very clever as it segues from an affluent and comfortable British country home to a haunted house, and it really comes to life in the second act.
No spoilers, Besties, but we suggest paying close attention to the set when you return after the interval – things might not be as they were before! The set is further enhanced by some striking lighting from Kat Murray and sound by Elliott Wallis, which give the performance a really ethereal feel, and bring the ghostly goings-on to light as doors slam, and tables float.
Ultimately, Tread the Boards’ production of Blithe Spirit is an easy, witty comedy that is sure to make you smile. If you’re looking for a relaxing and entertaining Summer evening in Stratford upon Avon, then Blithe Spirit is well worth a booking.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Kirstie Ewer
Blithe Spirit plays at Stratford-Upon-Avon’s Attic Theatre until 4 June, with tickets available here.