Blithe Spirit

Play

Writers: Noël Coward

Overview

Show Information

Category
Play
Number of Acts
3
First Produced
1941
Genres
Comedy, Farce
Settings
Unit/Single Set
Time & Place
kent, england, 1940s
Cast Size
small
Ideal for
Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Small Cast, College/University, Community Theatre, High School, Mostly Female Cast, Star Vehicle Male
Casting Notes
Mostly female cast
Includes young adult, adult, mature adult characters

Synopsis

Blithe Spirit is set at the house of writer, Charles Condomine, and his wife, Ruth. One evening, Charles invites local eccentric medium, Madame Arcati, to hold a seance at his house. He asks along his friends, Dr. and Mrs. Bradman, intending to gather character inspiration from Madame Arcati for his latest book. Despite initially thinking the seance has been a failure, it soon becomes clear that Madame Arcati has unwittingly brought back Charles’ first wife, Elvira, to haunt him. Once in his house, Elvira is unable to leave and, as she cannot be seen or heard by Ruth, she causes all kinds of mischievous trouble between the married couple. When Elvira unwittingly causes Ruth’s death in her attempts to bring Charles over to be with her, Charles becomes haunted by both of his now-deceased wives. Frustrated by their odd situation, the threesome call on Madame Arcati once more to send Elvira and Ruth back to the other side. Intensely funny and character-driven, Blithe Spirit combines farce, emotion, and wit to great effect.

Lead Characters


Blithe Spirit guide sections