Beverley Theatre Company: Blithe Spirit

The Beverley Theatre Company will be staging their first production of the 2011 – 2012 season when they perform Noel Coward’s classic farce, ‘Blithe Spirit’ at the Memorial Hall in Beverley from the 9th to the 12th November.

First staged in 1941 at the Opera House in Manchester, this comedy is billed as ‘an improbable farce’ in which the central characters hold a séance that unleashes a plot full of laughs and surprises!

The story centres on Charles Condomine, played by Anthony Musgrave in his first role with the Beverley Theatre Company. Charles is a writer who holds a dinner party for his friends Dr Bradman and his wife, as well as the eccentric local clairvoyant Madame Arcati, played by Kate Henderson, from whom he hopes to pick up a few tricks for his new book. Charles believes that Madame Arcati is a harmless fraud, but that he will get a few good stories along the way.

However, to his shock, the medium is better at her work than he had bargained for and the Condomine’s house soon has another visitor much to the annoyance of Charles’ second wife Ruth, played by Pamela Day! Chris Dunnachie and Helen Wild play the Bradmans while Charles first wife Elvira is played by Yvonne Parkinson.

This is a classic piece of theatre and a well-known and much loved favourite by Noel Coward with some unexpected twists, and is certain to provide an entertaining and enjoyable evening for everyone.

Some may have even seen it staged in Beverley before as this will be the fourth time the company have performed it having last visited the Condomine’s in 1988, when the part of Charles was played by Duncan Fenwick. Duncan’s most recent appearance was in Abigail’s party in 2008.

The company is always actively recruiting, so anyone interested in acting or production activities can send an email to: info@beverleytheatrecompany.co.uk or alternatively, call the Membership Secretary Yvonne Parkinson on 01964 544491 for an informal chat.

‘Blithe Spirit’ is at the Memorial Hall, Beverley from Wednesday 9th to Saturday 12th November, starting at 7.30 pm each evening. A licensed bar will be open before the performance and during the interval.

Tickets are available from the Beverley Tourist Information Centre and Haller’s Shoe shop in Beverley or on the door each night. Ticket prices are £6 Adults, £5 Concessions and £17.50 for a family ticket (2 adults, 2 children).