Blithe Spirit at Stuttgart Theater Center, Kelley Barracks (Stuttgart Theater Center)
Written in 1941 during The Blitz of London by the Luftwaffe, playwright Noël Coward once described his own Blithe Spirit as “an improbable farce in three acts”. Directed by Sarah Viola, the cast of the current adaptation at Kelley Theater has taken his meaning to heart, and serves up a balance of sarcastic wit with the right amount of fun and fright for Halloween.
Set in the 1940’s while England is under siege, yet beginning with light banter between two middle-aged members of the upper class who are each other’s second spouse, the play sets a dual tone early on and prepares you for what is to come. Ruth Condomine, the lady of the house, portrayed with a great accent and perfectly timed witty comebacks by Jenny Ephrussi in her STC debut, airily asks her husband Charles (LTC Matt Holmes) a loaded question about his deceased first wife, Elvira (LT Meadow Jackson): “Was she more physically attractive than I am?”
The comedic notes of the opening scenes gradually give way to the Condomines discussing ideas about the afterlife with their neighbors the Bradmans, and a humorous séance from the seemingly absent-minded Madame Arcati, with great physical comedy from Sabina Macy, leaves unintended results. It culminates in the sheer terror Ruth has when a breakthrough regarding her belief in an afterlife is reached. She then realizes that her husband Charles is, in fact, not going insane. Which leads her to think that her husband may also not be who he portrays himself to be.
While these great questions of the here and beyond are explored, the picturesque period set is a character unto itself: the perfectly upholstered furniture, the grandfather clock, a parlor grand piano, and a real gramophone show diligence to detail. And all these elements play a role of their own in the play’s final scene - which you will want to see!
The production is worth seeing for Ephrussi, Macy, and also for LT Jackson when she perfectly captures Elvira’s mischievousness and danger in her flirtatious vocal choices but anger-filled eyes. The special effects are just the spooky season cherry on top.
Upcoming performances:
October 27, 28 and November 3 & 4, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.
October 29 and November 5, 2023, at 3:00 p.m.
Tickets: Adults: $18 Students $13 Call the Theater office to book ahead. (Tues.-Fri. 12:30-17:30): DSN 421-3055 Or CIV 0711-729-3055
Blithe Spirit at Stuttgart Theater Center, Kelley Barracks (Stuttgart Theater Center)
