Blithe Spirit at Hawk’s Well

The classic comedy “Blithe Spirit” continues at the Hawk’s Well for four nights, from Thursday 18th to Sunday 21st inclusive. But theatre-goers take note, there’s no performance tonight (Wednesday 17th). Instead Jack and the Lads hold centre stage elsewhere! For an evening of fun and all round dramatic entertainment, “Blithe Spirit” qualifies admirably. This light-hearted comedy, by Noel Coward, achieved instant classic status on its first West End appearance. The unlikely plot has all the ingredients for fun and surprises.

Charles, married a second time, and wife Ruth, have invited the hearty, eccentric and comic Madame Arcati, a medium, to entertain their little gathering; nothing serious, but he might learn a few tricks of the trade for his next book – “The Unseen”. Madame, a dabbler of the mildly occult, and a chancer with style, stumbles onto her greatest triumph. Enter Elvira, wings well oiled for smooth landing, as the playful ghost of wife No. 1; exit Madame, away on her bicycle, leaving a matrimonial muddle behind. Solid certainties soon begin to shake and shudder, but how will Charles, a man of wit, cope with two wives? Can his marriage avoid an astronomical tail-spin? Comedy, like sport, hinges on the dramatic, the unexpected, the “Unseen”. Enough said. All will be revealed tomorrow Thursday 18th.

In this Sligo Drama Circle presentation, there is an excellent cast, with many proven achievements. Taking central roles are: Denise Burns (remember Gay Byrne’s radio production of “The Playboy”, “Philadelphia, “South Pacific” “Inish”); Ann Marie Byrne (Grease, Calamity Jane, On the Inside / On the Outside, Inish) John Gaffney (Philadelphia, The Playboy, Blood Wedding, On the outside / On the Inside – director), Ursula Smullen with her vast musical and stage experience, plays Edith, a maid; Ann Brady takes on a new theatrical personal in the part of Ruth, second wife to Charles (John Gaffney). Add to that the experienced Maureen Barry as the doctor’s pleasant and excitable wife and John Legge as Dr. Bradman. The vastly experienced director, Joan Fitzpatrick, is herself an ardent admirer of the Coward bubbly style. For anyone who needs reminding, Joan’s impressive repertoire includes: The Streetcar, Shadow and Substance, Rain, The Glass Menagerie, The Crucible, Charley’s Aunt, Fiddler on the Roof, Oliver and Philadelphia. Considerations such as these should be a more than adequate guarantee of a good night’s entertainment. But remember the ghost of Elvira is Off Duty tonight Wednesday 17th. Remember the dates, 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st November at 8pm, Thursday to Sunday inclusive.

from The Sligo Champion, November 19th, 1993