Drama Circle Brings Coward Classic to Sligo

“Blithe Spirit”, which makes its first ever appearance at the Hawk’s Well on Tuesday, November 16th, represents one of Noel Coward’s brightest, and most popular dramas. Billed as an improbable farce, this light-hearted romantic comedy achieved instant classic status on its first West End appearance in 1941. Now the Sligo Drama Circle, with the experienced Joan Fitzpatrick as Director, will present this Noel Coward masterpiece for five nights only, from 16th to 21st November, excluding Wednesday 17th (Big Jack gets the spotlight).

“Blithe Spirit” has all the ingredients for a hilarious evening’s entertainment. Audiences will warm to the sparkling wit and repartee that never dates. In a plot full of ironies, mystery and surprise, the comedy reaches new levels of merriment when cynical novelist Charles’ second marriage is disturbed by the playful ghost of his first wife, Elvira. It had all started innocently. Handsome Charles, and smart looking second wife Ruth, have planned a cosy little social evening. Central attraction will be the hearty and eccentric medium, Madame Arcati, who will provide Charles with a few tricks of the trade for his next novel. But when they toast “The Unseen” (the book title) it reverberates far beyond the book’s covers, and unwittingly he hands Madame her greatest triumph, and probably her only one. Then she in turn, leaves Charles and Ruth to stew in their own juice. Poor Charles. His first wife Elvira, a free spirit, exuding a certain ethereal, not-quite-of-this-world quality, soon becomes a very down to earth presence!

And keep an eye too on their maid Edith – something odd about her! Poor Charles, transformed by events into some sort of astral bigamist, might agree that love is a strong psychic force but soon he is wondering if these charming wives might be capable of further low cunning. But to follow the further twists of the plot would give the game away; come, see and enjoy it for yourself, right on to the surprising, and quite moving finale!

Director, Joan Fitzpatrick, a household name in theatrical attainment, is confident she has a most capable cast to provide the maximum entertainment with this deftly written comedy. Theatre-goers will readily acknowledge the proven abilities of this cast line-up: John Gaffney (Charles), Denise Burns (Madame Arcati), Ann-Marie Byrne (Elvira, wife No. 1), Ursula Smullen (Edith the maid), Maureen Barry (Mrs. Bradman), Ann Brady (Ruth, wife No. 2), John Legge (Dr. Bradman).

from The Sligo Champion, November 12th, 1993