Blithe Spirit – Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester

Writer: Noel Coward

Director: Sarah Frankcom

Reviewer: John Roberts

Blithe Spirit 1 - Royal Exchange The Royal Exchange again provides the adult theatre goer in the North West with an alternative production to enjoy over the festive season, over the last few years we have seen hilarious farces grace the magnificent round stage, but this year we are given the upper class joys of the wordy and splendidly humorous craftsmanship of Noel Cowards highly accessible comedy – Blithe Spirit. Originally staged in Manchester in 1941 before quickly transferring to London, it makes a welcome return in this spellbinding production directed by Sarah Frankcom.

Charles Condomine is struggling to finish his book and so to help him with his much needed research; he invites the Bradman’s over for supper and books local spiritualist and medium Madame Arcati over to perform a Séance. What appears as a bit of fun to begin with soon breaks into something much more than he bargained for. The Ghost of Charles’ first wife Elvira materialises and soon starts to cause mischief and mayhem, for Charles and his current wife Ruth.

Frankcom has directed a wonderfully colourful and vibrant production, which is full of heart and provides many laughs. There is much to admire about her production from the stunning Art Deco set with highly glossy floor or beautifully constructed costumes designed by Liz Ashcroft, to the carefully considered balance of middle class eccentricities which could have easily alienated her audience but with a subtle hand she masterly manages to escape such problems.

The cast are sublime throughout and provide a real chemistry that is sometimes hard to find in a company that have only been together for three weeks. Milo Twomey is no stranger to this style of production at the Royal Exchange and provides a strong resonating performance as Socialite and novelist Charles Twomey. Surrane Jones best known for her years on ‘Coronation Street’ yet again proves that there is more to her than cobles, her performance as Ruth is strong yet graceful and provides the evening with a touch of elegance and 1930’s female chic, proving to the critics once again that she is an actress that can surprise and perform much higher than they originally expected.

A nice cameo part for the talented Katie West who I adored in recent hit Punk Rock, as the energetic and sprightly servant Edith, her quick as a flash entrances and exits providing many of the evenings laughter, and a bright performance is admirably given by Nelly Harker as Elvira, but it is the performance of Annette Badland – who moves away from her more customary performances on TV & Film to delight and wow audiences in Manchester in a role that almost seemed to be tailor made for her that steals the show. She Blithe Spirit 2 - Royal Exchange provides much to laugh at during her scenes with excellent physicality and facial expressions that are almost as surreal as the whole plot, a real tour-de-force of a performance and one in which understandably is clear she is enjoying every second performing.

This production provides many reasons why you should dump the traditional and head to the exchange for your Christmas production, with a final Image that has many a surprise waiting for you, a cast that shines brighter than the North Star and a script that has more fun than putting up your decorations, you would be a fool if you missed this sensational seasonal offering!