Review by John P. Harvey.

Canberra Repertory has revived this classic Noël Coward comedy to good effect. Charles Condomine, a novelist with writer’s block, unintentionally sets off the play’s troubles when, in an effort to bring his fiction to life, he asks local medium Madam Arcati to conduct a séance at the home he shares with his wife, Ruth, and their housemaid, Edith, and the unnamed and unseen cook.

Somehow, though, during her trance, Madam Arcati summons the ghost of Charles’s deceased first wife, Elvira; and Elvira comes determined to spend the rest of eternity with Charles. Thus does battle ensue between Charles and Elvira, between Ruth and Elvira, and between Charles and Ruth.

It’s all light-hearted — if murderous — farce, and the special effects at the play’s end added to the fun. The role of Charles Condomine was perfectly suited to Peter Holland, and John Stead brought gravitas to the role of the Condomines’ friend and family physician, Dr Bradman. And Elaine Noon brought to the role of the unfortunately successful Madam Arcati the believably dramatic seriousness of the dedicated spiritualist. The elegant set and costuming painted the scene and its upper-class tone beautifully, and fine articulation by the entire cast made the production easy to relax into.

This production of Blithe Spirit, though it truncates Noël Howard’s script a little, will leave you in good spirits.

Playing at Theatre 3, Action, 1–17 May 2025.

Pictures: Ross Gould.