Blithe Spirit has been a favourite since the 1940s, and Brian Beresford's production of Noel Coward's chilly comedy of supernatural contact gone wrong makes it easy to see why it is so popular.A strong cast of Globe regulars keeps the play sparkling and fresh.
Dylan Shield is a great success as Charles Condomine, the author who thinks asking a local medium in for an evening's psychic dabbling will provide good raw material for his next novel.
Kimberley Buchan is all tense indignation as his unimpressed wife, Ruth.
Bernie Crayston and Laura Wells are highly competent as Dr and Mrs Bradman, initially invited to enjoy the novelty and later required for other reasons, and Ellie Swann provides a very funny stop-go performance as Edith, the desperate-to-please maid.
The really colourful, memorable parts in this play are those of the flamboyant but cliche-dependent Madame Arcati, played with evident relish by Terry MacTavish, and the "morally untidy" and deceased Elvira, gleefully presented by Elsa May, who wafts, mimics and teases with impish charm.
This is a play of elegance; French windows, martinis and cigarette cases, and the set, designed by Brian Beresford and constructed by Don Knewstubb, reflects this well.
A few details, though, could be improved. For example, the stage itself appears dusty, and the books in the bookcase are improbably shabby.
Sofie Welvaert has done an excellent job with the costumes, especially Madame Arcati's floaty purple and green creations and Elvira's ghostly grey outfit.
The audience reception was positive at Thursday night's opening, and the theatre full, so bookings may be advisable. The production runs until December 17.
- Barbara Frame
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