Blithe Spirit
Gielgud Theatre
Reviewed on Saturday 15th March 2014
Marking Angela Lansbury's return to the West End stage, many hailed Blithe Spirit a huge hit before rehearsals had even begun, but does it live up to the high expectations? YES! Noël Coward's masterpiece has been staged to perfection with Lansbury reprising her Tony Award-winning portrayal of Madame Arcati.
The play centres around Charles Condomine (Charles Edwards) and his wife Ruth (Janie Dee). The couple invite some friends for dinner, as well as the local clairvoyant Madame Arcati. Everybody believes Madame Arcati is a fake, but the evening doesn’t go as planned when Charles' first wife, Elvira (Jemima Rooper) is summoned. Charles is the only person able to see and hear his first wife, making Ruth's life a little challenging to say the least....
Lansbury gives the most incredible performance and certainly does not hold back one tiny bit. She entered and exited the stage to lengthy, warm rounds of applause throughout and, of course, brought the entire audience to their feet as she took her bow. You certainly feel as if you are in the presence of a legend, and Lansbury certainly reminds us why she is worthy of this status.
However, it is important to mention that although it is Lansbury's name in bright lights outside the Gielgud Theatre she is not the only star in the cast, as Blithe Spirit also marks Janie Dee's return to the West End. The Olivier Award winning star gives an almighty performance. Ruth is a terrific part and one that Dee is able to sink her teeth into. The audience loved Lansbury before the performance had begun but when Dee's final entrance was greeted with applause it was clear she had won everyone over. The show takes just one dip during the second act when neither Lansbury nor Dee are present.
The rest of the cast are all strong, particularly Charles Edwards and Jemima Rooper whose chemistry is electric. Fascinatingly Noël Coward's writing remains fantastically witty. The comedy isn't hidden within a complicated text, it remains relatable, which is the beauty of Coward's writing. Many of his plays remain timeless classics and, despite being one of the youngest in the packed theatre, I found the piece hysterically funny and was laughing louder than many of those around me.
Simon Higlett's design is detailed and hugely impressive. Michael Blakemore's neatly put together production is heavenly. If you see Blithe Spirit for just one reason, is should be so that in twenty years’ time you can boastfully say "I saw Angela Lansbury in Blithe Spirit in the West End, and it was incredible".
Reviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)
Blithe Spirit runs at the Gielgud Theatre until Saturday 7th June 2014.
Click here to book tickets.
Blithe Spirit runs at the Gielgud Theatre until Saturday 7th June 2014.
Click here to book tickets.
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