On 11th June Upton theatre group went by minibus to The Watermill Theatre at Bagnor, near Newbury, to see Noel Coward’s comedy ”Blithe Spirit”. Fortunately forewarned, the bus driver went via Wantage on the scenic route, to avoid massive hold ups on the A34.
Coward wrote the 3 act play in seven days, whilst on a working holiday in Port Meirion in 1941. The light hearted treatment of death caused controversy at the height of the London blitz. He described his idea as, “a very gay superficial comedy about a ghost”. It ran for 1,997 performances.
The Watermill’s revival was excellent, the well furnished set immediately giving a sense of the 1930s period. The casting was just right, all acting their part with aplomb, but Claire Vousden as Madam Arcati, the medium who unwittingly calls Elvira back from the “other side” after a seance, excelled. Throwing her gloves over her shoulders to the novice maid was a typical flamboyant gesture. Kelly Williams, playing the ethereal first wife Elvira, contrasted well with Charles Condomine’s more down to earth second wife Ruth, destined to join Elvira in the spirit world. This revival was much fun and enjoyed by all.
Joan Durbin