The production has announced its latest and last addition to this new version of Nöel Coward’s unforgettable comedy. Directed by National Theatre legend Sir Richard Eyre and also starring well-known comedian Jennifer Saunders, the play tells the chaotic tale of a failed séance session, which will bring an unexpected (and quite unwanted) guest to the party. Scheduled to open at the Prince of York’s by mid-September, the show will be onstage only for a much limited run.
The gates to the underworld are about to be opened… But fortunately enough (althouth that not be the case for everyone…), the only curse that could come out of this mess is a laugh attack. As we had previously announced, Nöel Coward’s enduring classic Blithe Spirit is returning to the West End – in a brand new production featuring an A-list cast and creative team. Only previously seen before at the Theatre Royal Bath (abruptly interrupted by the pandemic), the show is now welcoming its latest addition to its chaotic family: well-known performer Madeleine Mantock in the role of the playful spook Elvira. Stepping in as the last member in the troupe, her previous credits include Charmed for CBS Studios and ‘Miss Clara’, in the BBC adaptation of Andrea Levy’s novel The Long Song, as well as Casualty, The Tomorrow People and films such as Edge of Tomorrow (with Tom Cruise) and The Truth Commissioner.
Directed by 5-time Olivier Award winner Sir Richard Eyre, the play stars celebrated comedian Jennifer Saunders playing the part of Madame Arcati, an eccentric (and clumsy) medium who will invite to their client’s house an unexpected (and much unwanted) guest: the ghost of the owner’s first wife! The rest of the cast is completed by Geoffrey Streatfeild as Charles Condomine (the owner of the house), Lisa Dillon as Ruth Condomine (his wife), Simon Coates as Dr Bradman, Lucy Robinson as Mrs Bradman and Rose Wardlaw as Edith.
Originally written back in 1941, Coward’s distinctive wit and inventiveness provided relief and distraction to the London audiences during the hardest moments of World War II, when it was first staged. The show had a record-breaking run in the West End and on Broadway and still remains one of the playwright’s most popular works. For this production, the creative team includes design by Anthony Ward, lighting by Howard Harrison, sound by John Leonard and illusions by Paul Kieve.
To know more about this upcoming production and see all official pictures, click here.
Blithe Spirit will start performances on September 16th – for a limited run until November 6th. Tickets can be purchased on the following link.
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