Blithe Spirit
Noël Coward
City Lights Theater Company
The world was at war; England was constantly threatened from the skies; the fear of death of self and of loved ones was on everyone’s mind. What better time to write a three-act farce about a séance gone haywire recalling an author’s dead wife from the beyond – a ghost only he can see and a ghost who has devilish plans to raise all kinds of havoc in the life of his new, imposter wife?
Escaping to the shores of Wales from London’s nightly blitzes of horror, it seems that nothing could be more natural and timelier for Noël Coward than to help himself and his audiences forget a couple of hours the war by writing a new script guaranteed to elicit giggles and guffaws. Opening in the West End in 1941, his Blithe Spirit (written in only six days) set records as London’s longest-running, non-musical ever; and the delightful, over-the-top comedy of manners has continued to this day to send audiences into spasms of howling laughter. That certainly is the case at City Lights Theater Company as a fantastically directed, hilariously performed Blithe Spirit currently reincarnates this Noël Coward treasure where an eccentric medium, a mischievous ghost of a past wife, a not-too-pleased present wife, and a husband rather enjoying sudden bigamy together occupy a house full of spooky surprises.
Please continue to Talkin’ Broadway to read the rest of my review.
Rating: 5 E
A Theatre Eddys Best Bet Production
Blythe Spirit continues through April 23, 2023, in production by City Lights Theater Company, 529 Second Street, San Jose, CA. Tickets are available online at http://cltc.org
Photo Credit: Christian Pizzirani
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