Written By
Noel Coward
Where and When
20th – 23rd October 1999 @ The Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne
The Plot
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.
Cast
- Edith – Heather Shew
- Ruth – Judy Garrett
- Charles – Jeremy Austin
- Dr Bradman – Brian Scotford
- Mrs Bradman – Val Mantle
- Madame Arcati – Jan Stevenson
- Elvira – Ann Pond
Creative Team
- Director – Paul Dodman
- Stage Manager – Martin Matthews
- Set Designer – Amanda Brown
- Costumes – Carolyn Hewitt and Freddie Field
- Specialist Properties – Eddie Colton and Saliann Colton
- Prompt – Barry Baynton
- Make-up – Clare Downs
- Poster Design – Geoff Stone
- Advertising Revenue – Chris Brown
- Publicity – Dave Williams
- Programme Notes – Pat Gillingham
- Backstage Assitance – Joe Brooks, Chris Brown, Fred Brown, Karen Butler, Simon Patel, Dave Williams and Ashley Thorne
For The Tivoli Theatre
- Stage Manager – Carolyne Howe
- Lighting and Sound – Russell Parker
Gallery
Reviews
Kelly Reynolds – Daily Echo
Enjoyable visit from Coward’s Blithe Spirit
The smart sophistication and technical accomplishment of Noel Coward’s work, as referred to in the production programme, is without question. Indeed it must be a gift for any actor to perform, the biggest problem probably being memorising the elaborate dialogue.
Happily on the whole, Wimborne Drama did justice to this exquisite play, and the spirit of the author shone through as Jan Stevenson as a hale and hearty Madama Arcati, conjures up Elvira (Ann Pond) the dead wife of Charles Condomine (Jeremy Austin) much to the chagrin of his present and very much alive second wife, Ruth (Judy Garrett) causing a catalogue of trauma for the poor bemused man.
A few minor lapses of concentartion along the way meant that, on occasion, Charles forgot which wife he was supposed to be addressing and the prompt, although heard a couple of times, thankfully didnt materialise.
A charming performance was given by Heather Shew as Edith, whilst Brian Scotford and the unerring talent of Val Mantle complemented this Paul Dodman production.
An authentic set, beautiful make-up, impressive effects and use of the curtain (a first apparantly!) in highly conducive surroundings only added to what was a thouroughly enjoyable and entertaining evening.
The spirit of the author shone through. A thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining evening
Programme
