Blithe Spirit (Abridged)
Noël Coward
Blithe Spirit
by Noël Coward
Highlights
Awards & Recognition
Drama Desk Award
Winner! 2009 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Revival
Synopsis
A smash comedy hit in London and New York, this much-revived classic from the playwright of Private Lives concerns fussy, cantankerous novelist Charles Condomine, who has remarried but finds himself haunted (literally) by the ghost of his late first wife, Elvira.
Clever, insistent and well aware of Charles’ shortcomings, Elvira is called up by a visiting “happy medium,” the eccentric and flighty Madame Arcati.
As everyone’s personalities clash, Charles’ current wife, Ruth, is accidentally killed.
She “passes over” and joins Elvira, allowing the two “blithe spirits” to haunt the hapless Charles into perpetuity.
Press Reviews
"A highly efficient laugh machine... Can still keep an audience in a state of tickled contentment."
— Ben Brantley, The New York Times
"Rip-roaring... a scintillating comedy."
— John Simon, Bloomberg News
"A world-class comedy."
— TheaterMania
"Coward’s expertly crafted and effervescent dialogue, swimming in dry martinis."
— The Hollywood Reporter
Characters
| Character |
|---|
| Ruth Charles’ current wife |
| Charles Husband to Ruth and, before her passing, to Elvira |
| Dr. Bradman |
| Mrs. Bradman |
| Madame Arcati A medium |
| Elvira Charles’ late wife |
| Edith A maid |
Videos
Blithe Spirit | Madame Arcati and Ruth | Stratford Festival 2013
Publication
Blithe Spirit is a comedy play written by Noël Coward and published by Samuel French .
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Performance Rights
Available for Licensing
Amateur Only
Fee: Minimum Fee: $130 per performance
Restrictions: Major Markets Only (US) / Standard Restriction (UK)
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