AMATEUR THEATRE REVIEW: Blithe Spirit - NWTAC Theatre, Moston.

Having performed myself with NMAODS in the past, I am always delighted to return to support their latest venture, which, in this case, was the seminal classic farce with an edge that is ‘Blithe Spirit’. Due to illness of a cast member, one of the stalwarts of NMAODS (Vanessa Randall) had to step in with just nine days’ notice to take on the key role of the gregarious Madame Arcati, a clairvoyant of worldwide renown (at least in her own mind!). This necessitated Randall having to hold her script whilst often juggling with other items. Whilst this presented clear challenges and at times majorly slowed down the pace of the piece, she played the character with gusto and gave the audience members many opportunities for a good giggle. She was also suitably dressed in an over-the-top manner, and she is to be commended for taking on a role at the last minute.

The action takes place in Kent, at the country home of successful novelist Charles Condomine (Lawrence Shoebridge) and his young second wife Ruth (Emily Fitzpatrick). He is researching the occult for his next book and invites Madame Arcati over to perform a seance so that he can learn the 'tricks of the trade' (she doesn't know this). Also present are friends Dr and Mrs Bradman (Steve Jacobs and Karen Hamnett), who are shown into the drawing room by maid Edith (Judie Krebs), who delivers her lines in a deliberate, monotone voice, thus adding to the comic feel of the whole play.

To Charles' horror, Madame Arcati selects 'Always' as the background music on the gramophone and she manages to conjure up Elvira, Charles' first wife, who died seven years earlier in rather unfortunate circumstances. Elvira (played superbly by Catherine Borg-Fenech) can only be seen and heard by Charles. She is very different in character and manner to Ruth and revels in causing mischief for Charles and Ruth, even though she obviously still loves her husband. He is at times quite beastly to her (particularly in her opinion), but it was apparent that he held a torch for her. Elvira is persuaded to prove that she is there, which unsurprisingly greatly upsets Ruth. However, this is manna from heaven for Madame Arcati as she will delight in telling the tale to the powers-that-be at the Psychical Research Society in London.

I won't outline say any more about the plot just in case this would spoil things for the reader who might not know the play but was thinking of attending one of the remaining performances. However, I will instead concentrate on other general aspects. The set design is true to the era, with a lot of props and paraphernalia, and these undoubtedly help to transport you back to the early 1940s. The costumes were good and appropriate for the period. There were no issues with diction, so it was easy to follow as the evening wore on.

It must be noted that a few prompts were given in the second half. I put this down to first night nerves and it is after all a somewhat wordy play, stretched over three acts, with an interval that splits Act 2 in half. The stage at NWTAC is quite small and suited to an intimate piece such as this production. Sound and lighting cues generally worked quite well.

The show runs until Saturday the 10th; tickets are available online or on the door. My thanks go to NMAODS and NWTAC for their help and welcome. A very enjoyable evening’s entertainment.

Reviewer - David Swift
on - 7.6.23