Saints get into the spirit of Noël Coward's comedy

The cast of Blithe Spirit. Photo courtesy of Andrea Daly-Dickson.

Blithe Spirit by Noël Coward, performed by The Saints Drama Group, Allesley Village Hall, from 13 - 17 May 2025. Directed by Peter Daly-Dickson and Andrea Daly-Dickson.

Review by Ann Evans

The spirit of Noël Coward graced the stage at Allesley Village Hall last night with The Saint’s latest production - the classic comedy Blithe Spirit. The curtain rose on the atmospheric 1930s style sitting room of well-to-do English author Charles Condomine, played by Paul Bovey, and his second wife, the rather haughty, prim-and-proper Ruth Condomine. The role of this upper-class English lady of the house was one that Jo Locke-Wheaton played with great style both in her demeanour and speech.

Ruth and Charles Condomine. (Jo Locke-Wheaton and Paul Bovey). Photo by Mark Smithers.

The likeable Charles and his wife are awaiting the arrival of their guests, the rather stiff and pompous Doctor Bradman (Geoff Manns) and his wife Violet Bradman (Katie McGee) who seems to regularly say the wrong thing, much to her husband’s annoyance.  

The four of them are in on the joke that the main guest of the evening, eccentric clairvoyant Madame Arcati, played with oodles of charisma and confidence by Barbara Marinakis, is unwittingly there not to summon up any spirits, but for Charles to gain an insight into séances and spiritualism for his latest novel. And dashing here and there, in a flurry of nervousness whilst clearing tables, serving tea and cucumber sandwiches, is the young maid, Edith, sweetly played by Charlotte Ellingham.

The séance begins. Photo by Andrea Daly-Dickson.

Madame Arcati arrives and sets the room up for a séance, informing them that she may not achieve anything as it depends on her spirit guide, Daphne, a young child from the last century – and she has a cold. The voice of Daphne is Lexi Locke-Wheaton. The séance begins with no one – probably not even Madam Arcati, expecting any ghosts to appear.

However, when the knocking – one for yes, two for no, starts to occur, followed by table rocking chaos, and Madame Arcati collapsing dramatically into a trance, it all changes! Somehow, they have managed to inadvertently summon up the ghost of Charles’ dead first wife, Elvira.

Elvira, Madam Arcati and Charles. Photo courtesy of Andrea Daly-Dickson.

The backstage technicians have set up a delightfully spooky effect for the coming and going of the spirit as a wind softly billows the net curtains at the patio doors and the hauntingly whimsical Elvira drifts in. Shannon Lee takes on this role just perfectly. She has that ethereal quality that Noël Coward must have imagined when writing and directing this in 1941. Immediately you sense the light-hearted mischievousness of Elvira, and while no one else in the room can see her, Charles can – and  gets the shock of his life.

The humour of the situation then abounds as Ruth thinks Charles’ conversations with Elvira are actually with her – and make no sense! And when he gets irritated with Elvira, Ruth thinks he’s irritated with her – and hilarity ensues. Additionally, we have Madame Arcati’s excitement in actually conjuring up a real live - okay dead, spirit. The whole thing is fun and witty, and just what you would expect from the genius that is Noël Coward.

Ruth, Charles and Elvira. Photo courtesy of Andrea Daly-Dickson.

Blithe Spirit was described by Noël Coward as “an improbable farce in three acts.” And as such is produced in those three acts, making running time a good three hours. Personally, I found the final act unnecessary as it was repetitious of what had already gone on, and oddly there was an extra-long break before the final two scenes in act three. Perhaps there was a technical hitch – which can’t be helped, but the choice of music during the break of ‘Ghostbusters’ completely burst the Noël Coward/Blithe Spirit bubble. Up until then we had heard lovely 1930s music which was very much in keeping with the play and the era. That aside, the cast thoroughly deserved the applause and cheers at the end of the play for another excellent and enjoyable production.

As always there is a great community atmosphere at the Saint’s shows, with a cup of tea and a biscuit in the interval, plus their famous raffle. On this occasion the profits from the raffle are going to the charity Coventry and Warwickshire MIND.

Blithe Spirit is on until 17th May. Box office: 07927 319985. Further details: www.saintsdramacoventry.org