Blithe Spirit – Harold Pinter Theatre

We’re used to seeing Madame Arcati in eccentric flowing robes and often being almost a spirit herself. Jennifer Saunders does it differently in Richard Eyre’s take on this nice old warhorse of a play. She arrives for dinner in a sensible “best” crimplene frock with frumpy shoes and witchy, straggly grey hair which she probably cuts herself. She is plausible, slightly coarse, patrician and forthright. When she returns later, she wears a tweed shirt – and touch of genius – ankle socks. Only for her séances does she produce (from a capacious carpet bag) a relatively exotic cap and robe. Saunders is very funny, as you’d expect. She flits about incongruously and there’s a wonderful moment when she ends up on her back with sturdy legs pointing upwards and everyone on stage … reacts.

Geoffrey Streatfeild as the initially urbane, upper middle class Kent husband brings plenty of well-judged hilarious distress to his character as life gets ever more complicated. Lisa Dillon is strong as Ruth the current wife, running her home and being revoltingly satisfied with the comfortable life she enjoys – until Elvira, the first wife appears.

It is always a challenge to make Elvira convincing as a ghost. In this production she first appears dramatically in silver light on a platform, 15 feet or so above the action. And that works well. Her costume (designed by Anthony Ward) is apt too – a sort of ethereal floaty, blue number – and she has chalk white hair. Once Ruth joins her as a spirit, she is dressed identically. It makes the story telling crystal clear.