Noel Coward's comedy Blithe Spirit is coming to the Evolution Theatre Company stage on Thursday, February 26.
Noel Coward's comedy Blithe Spirit is coming to the Evolution Theatre Company stage on Thursday, February 26.
Evolution Theatre Company founder, director and set designer Dinna Myers is back in the director’s chair, this time with one of Noel Coward’s funniest and most enduring comedies, Blithe Spirit.
“We’ve had a reasonably short runway due to summer holidays, but the actors are all seasoned pros and it’sshaping up well,” Myers said.
The story follows eccentric medium Madame Arcati, (played by Rachel Crawford), who is guest of honour at a dinner party hosted by socialite novelist Charles Condomine (Russell McLeod) and his partner Ruth (Paula Jean Hattan).
Charles is hoping to pick up “ a few tricks of the trade” for his new novel. But after too many martinis and a schemozzle of a seance, he gets more than he wished for when an unexpected guest materialises.
“We have a newcomer to the Evolution stage – Quentin Harvey, who is playing Dr George Bradman,” Myers said.
“He hasn’t acted in a while but is dipping his toes back in the water and he’s fantastic.”
The audience will get to see onstage such well-regarded Gisborne thespians as Elizabeth Raines as Edith, Jill White as Mrs Violet Bradman and Phillippa Sherry as Elvira.
Coward is a British playwright famous for plays such as Hay Fever, Private Lives, Design for Living andPresent Laughter, many of which have remained regulars in theatre repertoires.
Myers said the play would appeal to a wide audience.
“It’s witty and haunting, stylish and sharp. It’s going to be a great night of entertainment.”
Paula Jean Hattan (left) as Ruth Condomine and Rachel Crawford as Madame Arcati rehearsing for Noel Coward's play Blithe Spirit, which opens at Evolution Theatre on Thursday, February 26.
