______
14 September 2026
______
4 1/2 ****
______
Listening to the lines of Blithe Spirit for the first time in a while, it is difficult not admire the writing of Noel Coward. Sharp, smart and impeccably crafted. To write a play in just six days is a huge achievement and when they turn out like this it is really quite something. On completion Coward knew he had a success on his hands and, despite the subject of death being a significant theme, at a time, 1941, when it was a continual presence, it was, indeed, a hit.
This is not a play to be taken on lightly, it is, maybe, a bigger piece to stage than one might think and provides the company with some considerable challenges, especially with just a few days of rehearsal. As a production to end the Sidmouth Summer Play Festival it is an ideal choice and the performance lives up to the promise.
Andrew Beckett, once again, takes the director’s chair and ensures that the action never gets in the way of the words; it is a stylish production which exudes quality throughout – so visible in Beckett’s beautifully designed set which has elegance and class in abundance.
Blithe Spirit tells the story of writer, Charles Condomine, who, in order to gather material for a new book, invites a local medium, Madame Arcati, to carry out a séance so he can learn ‘the tricks of the trade’. In the process, she conjours up the spirit of Condomine’s first wife, Elvira; his present one, Ruth, is far from impressed.
The suave, sophisticated, rather self-satisfied, Charles is perfectly captured by Jaymes Sygrove who effortlessly moves from being in control to fluster and bluster as matters take unexpected turns. Sygrove also delivers the lines with a crispness and clarity which is a joy to hear and is perfectly Cowardian. As second wife Ruth, Claire Louise Amias is suitably hard-edged and uncompromising; pushed to near despair by the circumstances she finds herself in. The scenes where she tries to engage with Elvira – whom she can’t see – are wonderfully comic. Floating in and out in a silky silver dress in the mischievous Elvira – Stephanie Willson patently has a ball and plays the ‘spoilt child’ aspect of the ghost with utter glee.
The role which most people will know from the play is that of Madame Arcati, originally created by Margaret Rutherford – who, incidentally, performed at the Manor Pavilion in 1933 in a production of Rope by Patrick Hamilton. Casting James Pellow in the part could be seen as controversial perhaps, but this is no stunt to get extra laughs. The be-turbaned Pellow lets the words get the laughs, augmented by some carefully chosen moves and gestures. The actor inhabits to role completely, it is a real treat and works wonderfully well.
Katherine Dodds makes all that can be made of the small, but important role, of the maid, Edith – a physical performance which echoes those of Julie Walters at times and one which is not easily forgotten. Dominic McChesney offers a rather more rounded performance as the sceptic Dr Bradman, than I have seen before and Hilary Harwood is dripping with period elegance as his wife who is wonderfully playful in her excitement about what is going.
The sound and lighting are carefully chosen to create atmosphere and the special effects are deftly executed. Janet Huckle’s costumes are splendid and really evoke the period and the mood of the piece. A certain amount of hesitance slowed the pace a little, but this will rectify itself as the run continues and for those who are lucky to see the production it will prove a fun and highly satisfying climax to the season.
The 2026 Summer Play Season at the Manor Pavilion has, as ever, been a tremendous mix of genres and styles, but one thing that has been constant is the high standards of acting and production values. Twelve plays in twelve weeks is a massive undertaking when they are produced to this level of skill and expertise. There is nothing else like it and Sidmouth is, indeed, a very fortunate town. Roll on the 2027 season – the 70th Anniversary Year.
Â
Cast
Charles – Jaymes Sygrove
Ruth – Claire Louise Amias
Elvira – Stephanie Willson
Edith– Katherine Dodds
Dr Bradman – Dominic McChesney
Mrs Bradman – Hilary Harwood
Madame Arcati – James Pellow
Creatives
Writer – Noel Coward
Director – Andrew Beckett
Set Design – Andrew Beckett
Costume Designer – Janet Huckle
Lighting Design – Chris Jackson & Will Tippett
Sound Design – James Prendergast
Props Supervisor – James Prendergast
Set Builder – Rhys Cannon
Stage Manager – James Prendergast
Sound/Lighting Operation – Rhys Cannon & James Prendergast
Stage Management Team – Dominic McChesney & Rhys Cannon
Season Producer – Andrew Beckett
Season Patron – Paul Taylor-Mills
Photo Image – Sidmouth Rep
