A bumbling and stumbling maid, Edith, enters a poshly decorated room on the orders of her employer, Ruth Condomine, to prepare the house for visitors. But what Ruth doesn’t realize is that one of those visitors will be the ghost of her husband’s ex-wife.
The Port Tobacco Players kicked off the first weekend in fall with their performance of “Blithe Spirit”.
The play is under the direction of Donna Wolfram and Rhonda Edwards as the producer. Keith Linville is the assistant producer and Christopher Smith runs the backstage as stage manager.
“It’s classic, it’s fun, it’s fast-pacing, and the energy… What I liked most is the characters and when I read the play, it just came alive in my mind. That’s what got me interested in the show,” said Wolfram.
The comedy “Blithe Spirit” takes place in the 1940’s in Kent, England and follows the lives of Ruth and Charles Condomine. In order to write his latest book, Charles invites the odd Madame Arcati over to perform a séance for occult research. The Condomine’s disbelief is soon tested when Madame Arcati successfully summons Elvira, Charles’ ex-wife.
The play was written by Noël Coward in 1941 and opened in London that same year. With World War II looming over the globe at the time, Wolfram explained the interesting approach Coward took when writing the play.
“What I find interesting about the show is that there’s no reference to World War II. This was a time when there was a lot of turmoil… He [the playwright] wanted a break from that,” said Wolfram.
Port Tobacco Players will be performing “Blithe Spirit” from September 23 to October 9 on Fridays, Saturdays at 8pm and Sunday matinees at 3pm. Tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for seniors, youths, and military.
Wolfram praised the cast and crew for bringing the characters in her head to life and for their hard work as well. Carol Russell, the costume designer, was excited to create costumes for the show.
“Well, it’s the 1940’s. Who doesn’t love the 1940’s? Hourglass, peplums, and a fantastic, gorgeous cast. You put these clothes on them and they make it right… They just made it beautiful,” said Russell.
The fabrics and swatches that Russell worked with in costuming the cast hang in the lobby of the Port Tobacco Theatre, next to the headshots of the cast.
The production crew also consists of Tommy Scott, who is the lighting designer of the show.
“We have a fantastic lighting designer who has a wonderful sensitivity to mood… Tommy just took it in and went with it. He had a nice sense of what we were trying to capture,” said Wolfram.
With its supernatural elements, comedic timing, and witty dialogue, Wolfram doesn’t think the audience will be disappointed.
“’Blithe Spirit’ means, it’s a middle English word, but ‘blithe’ means joyful, kind, and cheerful and we want the audience to feel that,” said Wolfram.
