BR wrote: Noël Coward claimed to have written Blithe Spirit in the space of just a few days’ while he was staying at the darling little resort of Portmeirion on the North Wales coast. First performed in the dark wartime days of 1941, the piece stands with his earlier Hay Fever [1925] and Private Lives [1930] as one of the century’s most enduring full-length comedies for the stage. Wick has performed all three of these works over the years – and this is in fact the third time we have staged Blithe Spirit in the last half century.
Only very few will now remember the 1955 production, but there are many old friends who will have seen, or been involved in, the revival of 1984. We hope that this new production will be enjoyed just as much!
Publicity #1: Blithe Spirit/Multiplex
Publication: Shoreham Herald
Publication Data: August 24 2006 issue – page 35
Text Header: Ushering in the future of drama at the Barn Theatre
Sub Header: Wick’s double bill
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TWO new productions will be performed at Southwick’s Barn Theatre by local theatre groups next month.
The Young Wick Theatre Company will perform Christopher William Hill’s witty and imaginative play, Multiplex.
In a fantasy world of film, ushers at a cinema become stars of the silver screen when the curtains go down and the viewers have gone home. Multiplex was commissioned especially for young actors by the National Theatre.
It is the third offering by the Young Wick company, following two previously highly acclaimed productions under the direction of Mark Best, who has again assembled a large and talented cast.
As the story unfolds, we begin to find out more about the young characters as they try to find their own identities and standing among their peers. The comes a challenger in the form of a new recruit, Mouse, played by Hugo Harwood, and a fight to maintain the pecking order ensues.
Just who will win this intriguing blend of reality and fiction?
Performances of Multiplex run from Thursday, September 7, to Saturday, September 9.
From Wednesday, September 13, to Saturday, September 16, Wick Theatre Company presents Blithe Spirit, a classic comedy by Noël Coward concerning ghostly goings-on.
The action centres on a dinner party with a difference, when Charles, played by Tony Brownings, invites eccentric medium Madame Arcati [Barbara Trenear-Thomas] to hold a séance. Although sceptical of her powers, writer Charles needs background information for his latest novel, but his plan backfires when he and wife Ruth find themselves sharing their home with a glamorous yet disruptive ghost – Charles’ first wife Elvira, who has returned from the grave and isn’t keen on going back.
Directed by Bob Ryder, Blithe Spirit features Kati Szeless as Ruth, Judith Berrill as Elvira and John Garland and Nikki Dunsford as Dr and Mrs Bradman. Natalie Colgate, a new face at the Barn, is Edith the maid, who scurries in and out serving food and drink, until she tumbles down the stairs and gets concussion.
Performances of Multiplex and Blithe Spirit start at 7.45pm, at the Barn Theatre, at Southwick Community Centre, in Southwick Street, Southwick. Tickets for both productions cost £7 and are available from the box office 01273 597094.
Review #1: Blithe Spirit
Publication: Shoreham Herald
Publication Data: Unknown
Reviewer: Sam Woodman
Text Header: Unknown
Text: Content
A dinner party with a difference provided the setting for Wick Theatre Company’s latest production, Blithe Spirit, at Southwick’s Barn Theatre.
Noël Coward’s comedy centres around some ghostly goings-on after Charles Condomine, played by Tony Brownings, invites psychic Madame Arcati [Barbara Thomas] to a dinner party. Charles, although sceptical about the medium’s powers, needs background information for his latest novel, about the ‘tricks of the trade’. The plan backfires, however, and, after a séance, Charles and second wife Ruth [Kati Szeless] find themselves sharing their home with Elvira – Charles’ late first wife [played by Judith Berrill] who has returned from the grave.
Tony Brownings excelled as Charles , sandwiched between his current and former wives, never quite sure which way to turn, with Kati Szeless and Judith Berrill both perfect foils for Coward’s witty writing. They were supported ably by Nikki Dunsford, who was a delight as dinner party guest Mrs. Bradman, and by John Garland as her doctor husband. Making her first appearance at the Barn, Natalie Colgate [*] was entertaining as maid Edith. The star of the show, however, was Barbara Thomas, whose wonderful portrayal of the eccentric Madame Arcati was entertaining from beginning to end. Every cast member performed well under Bob Ryder’s direction and the cunning twist at the play’s end was executed perfectly. Another resounding success for Wick.
[*] Not actually Natalie’s first appearance but a very welcome return after several years away!
Review #2: Blithe Spirit
Publication: Brighton Argus
Publication Data: Unknown
Reviewer: Barrie Jerram
Text Header: Unknown
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The local revival of the work of Noël Coward continued with the Wick Theatre Company’s production of Blithe Spirit. The play, claimed by Coward to have been written in just a few days, has become an enduring classic. The story centres on Charles, a writer in need of background to his latest book, who invites a local medium to conduct a séance at his home that he shares with his second wife, Ruth. He is cynical in his motive – he hopes to pick up the appropriate jargon. Charles, however, gets more than he bargained for when the ghost of his first wife, Elvira, is conjured up and is only visible to him. Elvira has ulterior motives and causes all sorts of mayhem and confusion. The character was deliciously realised by Judith Berrill – vivacious and wickedly mischievous.
The part of Madame Arcati, the medium, is a plum rôle that requires a controlled degree of eccentricity and scattiness. On this occasion the control was lacking and the performance way over the top. Concentration on physical comedy proved to be the detriment of the humour in the lines. Too often the voice dropped and lines were thrown away. Perhaps firmer direction was needed here. It was felt that the female members of the cast, rather than the men, were the stronger performance. Nikki Dunsford, as Mrs. Bradman, gave a portrayal that captured the period exceedingly well. Tony Brownings and John Garland, both fine actors who have produced high quality work in the past, did not fully achieve the lightness and style required for their rôles.
Review #3: Blithe Spirit
Publication: Words & Music
Publication Data: Unknown
Reviewer: Gordon Bull
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Blithe Spirit once again came to haunt us with its séance and poltergeistly games where confusion reigns as to who is talking to whom. In this excellent production we had an impressive Madame Arcati [Barbara Thomas] and an equally persuasive and pervasive emanation from wife number-one Elvira [Judith Berrill]. The humour came across splendidly, although the little maidservant-tweeny [Edith] I thought was somewhat OTT in her attempts to show she was always doing things too fast. Nevertheless she contributed well to the fun, and as she runs off with the family fortune in the end, she can afford to be the happy soul she is. All the cast was well chosen and the spirit of the occasion was always present. All credit, too, to all the crew and director Bob Ryder.
Another successful presentation from this versatile company.
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