Review: OnStage in Bedford is full of BLITHE SPIRIT, now through April 13!

BLITHE SPIRIT

Written by Noel Coward
Directed by Ben Phillips

Audience Rating: PG
Accessible Seating: Available
Hearing Devices: Not Available
ASL Performances: N/A
Sensory Friendly Performances: Yes
Production Sound Level: Comfortable
Noises or Visuals to Prepare for: N/A
Running Time: 2 hours 40 minutes including 15 minute intermission

Reviewed by Glynda Welch

Onstage Bedford celebrates their 40th season with Noel Coward’s spirited comedy, Blithe Spirit. Set in 1940s England in the living room of author Charles Condomine’s elegant home, Blithe Spirit follows Condomine through the misadventures that occur when the suave Condomine (Bradford Reilly) pursues research for an upcoming book about a homicidal medium. With the eccentric Madame Arcati (Stacey Simpson Calvert) invited to host a séance, he plans to refresh his memory about jargon and tricks of the trade. Since a séance requires additional participants, Condomine and his second wife Ruth (Emily Cheekoti) host a dinner party that includes Dr. George Bradman (Solomon Abah, Jr.) and his wife Violet (Stacey Blanton). 

Reilly’s Condomine is suave and quite full of himself, as evidenced by his witty but insensitive banter with Ruth when she asks for comparisons between herself and his deceased first wife. While Cheekoti’s Ruth insists she feels no jealousy for her former rival, her prickliness says otherwise. It becomes apparent in their pre-dinner party conversation that Condomine’s first marriage was about passion while his second is based more on practicality. The Condomines and Dr. Bradman are openly skeptical about the validity of Madame Arcati’s spiritual gifts, while Violet is definitely more open. Abah plays the doctor as very straight-forward and practical, while Blanton’s Violet is titillated and hoping to get a fortune-telling session in addition to the séance. Kudos to Costume Designers Patricia Brown and Hannah Bell for costumes generally, but especially for the period and station appropriate gowns worn by Blanton.

Stacey Simpson Calvert’s Madame Arcati explodes into the room with her first arrival and totally owns her every moment onstage.  In or out of trances, she keeps the audience entranced. When Madame Arcati’s séance goes awry, she summons Elvira Condomine, Charles’ first wife. Caitlin Whitley gives us a sultry, flirtatious, and petulant Elvira who is having the time of her life after death. Audible and visible only to Charles, Elvira wreaks havoc on his mental state and his marriage. 

Lexie Conner Perry provides comic moments as the newly hired and not-yet-trained maid, Edith. Her guileless innocence as she tries to figure out how to make trays fit on too small tables and control her speed invokes smiles. She just wants to help and it turns out she finds many ways to do just that. 

Director Ben Phillips has pulled together a talented group of designers in mounting this production. Jessica Graham served as Stage Manager. Set Design and Construction was handled by Rich Wiltshire, Fayaz Ali, Jim Scroggins, and Michael Winters. Costume Designers Patricia Brown and Hannah Bell worked with Wig Master Nick Lynch Voris. Properties Designers are Michael Winters and Kelli Guytan. Kevin Brazil did Sound Design and served as Board Operator. Lighting Designer is Michael Winters.

BLITHE SPIRIT Continues through April 13th at Onstage Bedford, 2400 School Lane, Bedford. Tickets are available online at: onstageinbedford.com or through the box office at 661.917.0343.

Experience Live Theater!

Glynda Welch