Blithe Spirit 75 Years On

Blithe Spirit 75 Years On

Mousetrap Theatre at Redcliffe, Queensland has the unique experience of presenting Noël Coward’s most famous play Blithe Spirit exactly 75 years after the famous author first penned it.  While the production runs over 3 weeks from 29 April to 14 May, Coward took only 6 days from 3 - 9 May 1941 to write his masterpiece.  The play was his most successful, having held the record for the most performances for several decades, until it was surpassed by Agatha Christie’s equally famous Mousetrap (yet another link to this well-known local company).

The action takes place at the country home of Charles and Ruth Condomine.  Charles (Steve Pearton) is a novelist who is about to write his next book, “The Unseen”, about a murderous psychic.  In order to do some background research for his book he invites his friends Dr and Mrs. Bradman (Tom Burrell and Karen Christl) to join him and his wife Ruth (Karen Matthews) in a séance.  The séance is to be led by Madame Arcati (Susan Harding-Smith) who used to be a professional medium in London, and is considered somewhat of a local celebrity, but is totally unaware that Charles is a non-believer and is using her to learn a few tricks of the trade.

The séance does not go to plan, and has the unfortunate outcome that Charles’ first wife Elvira (June Tretheway), crosses over from the other side.  Needless to say, his current wife Ruth is not impressed at having Charles’ previous wife in the house, particularly as a ghost that only Charles can see and hear.  Ruth already has her hands full running the household and trying to train the new maid Edith (Bec Mundell), so when Charles comments that he thinks the three of them should be able to have a jolly good time, Ruth does not take the news well and accuses him of wanting to be an astral bigamist. Elvira on the other hand is watching on enjoying every moment but then she too decides that Charles should be attending to her needs rather than Ruth’s.

With two angry wives to deal with, Charles finds himself in a very difficult situation. Difficult for him, but very humorous for us.

“Coward is both an extreme joy and great challenge,” says director Marcus Thomas. “He always saw life as a frivolous exercise and brought this attitude, along with his great wit and insight, into his plays.  The dialogue is so rich and well constructed that, while his characters appear superficial on the surface, there are indeed many layers to be explored”.

The play might be 75 years old but the subject matter and humour remain ageless.

Cast

Charles Condomine            Steve Pearton (Woody Point)

Ruth Condomine                 Karen Matthews (Deception Bay)

Elvira Condomine               June Tretheway (Redcliffe)

Madame Arcati                   Susan Harding-Smith (Redcliffe)

Dr Bradman                        Tom Burrell (Deception Bay)

Mrs Bradman                      Karen Christl (Margate)

Edith                                   Bec Mundell (Petrie)

Directed by                         Marcus Thomas (Carseldine)

Production Dates:             29 April to 14 May 2016
                                            29 & 30 April, 6 & 7 May, 13 & 14 May at 7:30pm
                                            1 & 8 May at 2pm

Location:                            Mousetrap Theatre, Lamington Avenue, Redcliffe

Tickets                                www.trybooking.com or0439 954 719

Information:                        www.mousetraptheatre.asn.au

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