Bringing life to bygone great
who can actually see and hear her. How he copes with two wives, albeit one a jealous ghost, is the premise on which the rest of the play is based.
When the person playing a critical role breaks her arm at technical rehearsal just three days before opening night, the nightmare for a director and cast becomes real.
Townsville Little Theatre was fortunate that experienced actor Pamela Garrick could step into the part.
With a postponement of opening night by one day for rehearsal and even with script in hand she gives a convincing and entertainingly flamboyant Madame Arcati, the medium who causes the hilarity that ensues from her attempts to make contact with the dead.
Unfortunately this necessary change must have had an adverse effect on the other cast members and there were far too many prompts required to get Charles and some other characters through the lines.
This interrupted the natural flow of the play but I hope it will have become less of a problem as the shortened season has progressed.
The other cast member not mentioned until now is Edith the maid, a seemingly small, but as it turns out critical role, and this was excellently portrayed by Lucy Gounaris.
This is a very cleverly written play of manners redolent of an era long gone.
Coward’s script, when performed eloquently as it is by this cast, is music to the ears of those who appreciate great writing.
The set by director Glenn Shield is outstanding and so typical of that era. The soundtrack was enjoyably fitting and generally costuming was elegant.
Mr Shield has again created a worthy production.
Blithe Spirit manages to combine death, ghosts and comedy in a delightful way.
It is on at the Performing Arts Centre at Pimlico High School on Fulham Road finally today at 2pm and tonight at 7.30. Tickets available at the door.
RAY DICKSON