Ruth and Charles Condomine are British aristocrats, filling their days with parties, teas, and other social gatherings. One day Ruth decides it would be amusing to invite Madame Arcati, a medium, to come over and hold a séance for their guests. From the minute she arrives, it’s obvious Arcati’s off her chump, going on about necessary elements for the welcoming ritual, including the exclusion of red meat from her dinner. None of this implies (of course) that she’s not a legitimate channel. They switch to a smaller table, light a candles, place their hands on the surface. Arcati circles about, drawn into a trance, carrying on (Oh wait. Is someone there? Rap once for yes.) then shrieking like a banshee and conking out.
Considering the ceremony a disappointment, the guests leave and the Condomines chat over aperitifs before bedtime. Much to his chagrin, Charles discovers Elvira, the ghost of his late wife, has decided to pay a visit. Now Elvira isn’t some creepy, eerie, moldy deceased entity. Oh no. She’s exquisite. Willowy, patrician, withering, intelligent and a jovial nuisance. She’s not above insulting her husband’s current wife outright. Ruth cannot hear, but once Charles reveals that Elvira has returned, Ruth gets when she’s being mocked. And once Elvira’s started confronting Charles with his equally disgusting behavior, the two square off. The Condomines are dismayed to find Arcati has no clue how to return Elvira, to the Invisible Choir.
Like Oscar Wilde and Tom Stoppard, Noel Coward has a knack for clever, understated satire. Elvira is an absolute terror, and (excuse the expression) poisonous as hell. Not so much a penchant for belittling, but the passing, airy, snide remark. Her her cringe-worthy jibes at Ruth, exposes the weaknesses in Charles’ present marriage. Of course, Mr. Coward is a champion at subversive spoof. A waiting list for visitation requests, an annoying little girl ghost who brokers supernatural consortium, this sort of thing. Once we gather how fatuous and self-absorbed the characters are, any sympathy all but evaporates.
The cast of Richardson’s Theatre Centre’s Blithe Spirit is spot on, and quite skilled at tone and touch. Carol Rice (Ruth) Robert San Juan (Charles) Leigh Wyatt Moore (Edith) Anthony Magee (Dr. Bradman) Michelle Goltzman (Mrs. Bradman) Lorna Woodford (Madame Arcati) Blair Taylor (Elvira) harmonize as though they they’ve rubbed elbows for years, and pick up cues with stealth and finesse. British humor isn’t always easy to perform, so much of it’s about subtext and culture. But Director Rachael Lindley pulls it off, and the evening was a roaring success.
Blithe Spirit was presented at Richardson Theatre Centre and it played October 15th-31st, 2021. 518 West Arapaho Road, Suite 113, Richardson, Texas 75080. 972-699-1130. richardsontheatrecenteorg