Blithe Spirit

Cast of Blithe Spirit. Photo by Joan Marcus.

Following sold-out engagements on Broadway and London's West End, Angela Lansbury (of Murder, She Wrote fame) returns to the stage this winter in her Tony Award-winning role as Madame Arcati in Noël Coward's Blithe Spirit. The nearly 90-year-old actress delivers a simply marvellous performance in this memorable production now playing at the Princess of Wales as part of Mirvish Productions' current season.

First staged in the West End in 1941, Blithe Spirit is a comic play presented in three acts. The story centres around a novelist, Charles Condomine (Charles Edwards), who invites an eccentric medium, Madame Arcati (Lansbury), to his house to conduct a séance in the hope of collecting material for his latest book. Excited by the idea of having a such a character in her house, Charles' wife, Ruth (Charlotte Parry), invites their friends Dr. Bradman (Simon Jones) and Mrs. Bradman (Sandra Shipley) to join in the peculiar experience. However, the evening takes an unusual turn when Charles is suddenly confronted by the ghost of his mischievous first wife, Elvira (Jemima Rooper), who only he can see or hear.

Featuring an extraordinary set by Simon Higlett, this evenly paced, entertaining production is punctuated between scenes by lighthearted music and on-screen stage notes reminiscent of the silent film era. Lansbury is fabulous as the quirky yet earnest Madame Arcati, bringing great energy and humour to the part. Meanwhile, the other leads are equally captivating: Edwards is funny and endearing as the preyed upon Charles, Parry gives a terrific performance as the domineering Ruth, and Rooper is deliciously troublesome as the passed on but very much present Elvira. Not to mention Susan Louise O'Connor's hilarious turn as Edith, the dim-witted maid.

Bursting with whimsy and wit, it's easy to see why this far-fetched comedy remains popular today. While séances may no longer be as fashionable as they once were, Coward's commentary on love, marriage and jealousy is still highly amusing and of the moment. Don't miss this opportunity to see the legendary Lansbury light up the stage.

Blithe Spirit runs until March 15 at the Princess of Wales Theatre. Visit mirvish.com for more information and to buy tickets.