"BLITHE SPIRIT" FLIES ON GHOSTLY WINGS INTO THE KATE

Playwright Noel Coward described his play “Blithe Spirit” as "an improbable farce in three acts.” He termed it witty and well constructed and knew it would be a success. Eight decades ago he penned the comedy in a six day writing marathon and it is still entertaining audiences to this day. The Saybrook Stage Company is inviting you to discover the world of the occult, believers and non-believers alike, at The Kate, 300 Main Street, in Old Saybrook the weekend of Thursday, January 19 at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, January 20 and 21 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, January 22 at 2 p.m. Author Charles Condomine (Mark Gilchrist) is researching his next book, a look into the psychic realm. For some authenticity or dialogue or just plain fun, he sets up a séance with the local medium, an eccentric and colorful character, in feathers and fringe, Madame Arcati (Terri Corigliano). Charles, accompanied by his second wife Ruth (Amy Bentley) and dear friends Dr. Bradman (Kevin Spedding) and his wife Violet (Barbara Schreier) gather for what they hope will be lively entertainment. Madame Arcati, as promised, goes into a trance and contacts the “other side.” She inadvertently plays a recording of Irving Berlin’s “Always.” Who should answer the call but the ghost of Charles’ first spouse, Elvira (Alicia James), who was temperamental and demanding in her previous life and hasn’t changed much since. This time around Elvira, who can only be seen and heard by Charles, has an agenda of her own. She wants Charles to join her in the hereafter and the only way to accomplish that is to murder him, ever so gently of course. Elvira’s plans go slightly awry as Ruth jealously accuses Charles of spousal abuse or of going crazy, neither of which she will tolerate. The Condomine’s servant Edith (Mary Corigliano) gets into the fray when Madame Arcati returns and tries spell after incantation to exorcise Elvira. In the 2009 play Dame Angela Lansbury and in the 2020 film Dame Judy Dench both played the clairvoyant who unwittingly causes a major upset. Can Madame Arcati resolve this new untenable situation? Soon there is more than one ghost running amok and sending the Condomine household into total chaos. Director Glenn Bassett keeps the fun spirited (pun intended) as vases go flying and lamps crash down. For tickets ($15-25), call The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center at 860-510-0453 or online at www.TheKate.org. Watch how easily a seven-year old ghost upsets the delicate balance of a marriage when she is invited in for a manifestation of merry mayhem.