Noel Coward wrote Blithe Spirit for wartime audiences and intended it to be “a light hearted comedy” which it is, and so much more... Blithe Spirit transports you from the onset into a witty delight as you find yourselves leaning in closer to get complete clarity of the steady, snappy jokes that come almost back to back. Blithe Spirit , directed by Thea Sharrock; When one man is haunted by his dead wife, when research for a thriller becomes your reality, when dinner party's consisting of wine and cucumber sandwiches turn nasty, and where women have to fight to be heard!

Elivira, Amanda Drew, floats around the stage sultry and sexy in her silk, tormenting and teasing her late husband Charles Condomine, in a child like manner receiving obvious pleasure in torturing her husband's new wife Ruth who can't actually see or hear her. Whilst Ruth, Joanna Riding, with her ever lasting, high rank stance, portrays all the traits of ‘the highest and the best'. Ruth slowly reverts from dominating to evidently helpless and concedes to being the other woman in her husband's life. Penelope Keith fills the stage with all you would hope for in such an eccentric and often delusional character such as Madame Arcati. Like all the performers her timing is immaculate and diction clear as crystal.

The Designer, Simon Higlett, has created an authentic 1940's set, with his fine eye for detail. The set is full of warmth and has plenty room for gags and surprises!

I shouldn't think it would matter whether you are familiar with Noel Coward's work or not, as this play is an effective all-rounder providing light relief and being true to theatre in its theatrical and at times dramatic approach to a subject that on the contrary is not so light - Death!