Blythe Spirit

THEATRE REVIEW

Blythe Spirit by Noel Coward

I believe a play often depends upon the accuracy in which the main part is played. A character that could be seen as “just plain weird” provides a phenomenally fine line between perfection and disaster for the actor who takes on the challenge. Let me help you grasp what I mean:

Madam Acarti is a lady whom believes she can reach the dead through some form of ritual. Mr Condomine is in need of some material to help him continue with his novel, so he invites the delightful “witch of the world beyond” to conjure up the spirits that he believes are not there. To his amazement the poltergeist of his late wife Alvira arrives with the one idea of mischief. 

Madam Acarti who is played by Allison Steadman is flamboyant, screechy and utterly endearing as she gyrates and gallops around the room finding a spirit. She is over the top and seems somewhat over bearing, however, she is performed by Steadman with an accuracy so perfect it sets the whole stage alight. She provides the energy and the entertainment and is supported beautifully by the contrasting pompous Mr Condomine (Robert Bathurst) and his uptight and cynical wife played wonderfully by Hermione Norris. The added bonus is the playful and cheeky Alvira, who lightens the ambience considerably, with her childish ways and youthful beauty. 

There are times within the play where you feel a lot of the script isn’t necessary and may drag on a little, but you will only feel that restlessness for a little while, before you are once again entertained and captured by such an obscure situation. I would also suggest that the scene splitting curtain up and down habit was utterly unnecessary as there was nothing to show for it when the curtain revealed the next scene, however, the Royal Theatre was a wonderful set for the old fashioned play.

All in all a success that could be improved by minute changes.