THEATRE ... Review: Phillip Bate
Some are born into greatness, some achieve greatness, others have greatness thrust upon them is a Shakespeare quote that has stood the test of time. If Shakespeare attended the opening night of the Centenary Theatre Group’s Blithe Spirit at Chelmer on Saturday night, May 7, he’d add a corollary. Some are born to play Noel Coward characters – especially Samantha McLaughlin who should have a walk-up start in any future Noel Coward productions, anytime, anywhere.
Samantha plays Elvira Condomine, the deceased first wife of author Charles Condomine (Damian Danaher) who invites an eccentric medium Madame Acarti (Meredith Downes) to hold a seance where Elvira’s ghostly blithe spirit returns to upset the ordered life of Charles and his second wife Ruth (Helene Holland).
In a long silver evening gown and long gloves which make her appear “cooler than the other side of the pillow”, Samantha’s Elvira shows Charles what he has been missing for the past seven years since she “passed over”. Matching Samantha’s blithe spirit is the eccentricity of Madame Acarti. The role allows Meredith Downes great scope to dominate proceedings. This she did with great gusto on opening night and she still has another eight performances to further develop the character!
Doubtless, the dexterity demonstrated in the roles of Elvira and Madame Acarti owe a great deal to the direction of Cameron Castles who allows the cast of seven actors a good time performing in the show so the audience can have a good time watching it. Cameron Castles also designed the early 1950s set which typifies the living room of a wealthy couple living in Kent. The cast provides the costumes with special credit going to Helene Holland whose range of elegant dresses and gowns befitting the lady of the house is truly magnificent.
As second wife Ruth, Helene offers a fine contrast to the flighty first wife Elvira. However, she’s no doormat as she battles to keep Charles for herself. With Elvira attempting to turn Charles into a ghost and Ruth enlisting the help of Madame Acarti to return Elvira back to the netherworld, it doesn’t need Madame Acarti’s crystal ball to predict a great deal of laughter occurs.
Describing his life as “careless rapture”, Damian Danaher plays husband Charles with some great comedic touches as he presides over the simple matter of wife and death. Completing the cast are Guy Smith and Joanne Smith who play the married couple Dr George and Violet Bradman needed to make up numbers for the important seance and Margaret Bell whose role as the maid Edith is pivotal to the plot. All three add fun to the improbable farce.
