See timeless masterpiece Blithe Spirit

Published 2:00pm 4 July 2024

Words by Moreton Daily Editorial team

Audiences can expect plenty of comedy and mayhem when the curtain rises on 6 Mangrove Productions’ upcoming show, Blithe Spirit.

After weeks of rehearsals, the cast will take to the stage at the Bribie Community Hall later this month, with three shows scheduled from July 26-27.

Written by the legendary English playwright Noël Coward, Blithe Spirit first captivated audiences when it premiered in London’s West End in 1941, before being adapted into numerous films and a Broadway musical.

Having delighted audiences for more than eight decades, 6 Mangrove Productions President Afra Feeney says the theatre group is thrilled to perform their own rendition of the masterpiece.

“Noël Coward was a brilliant playwright who has quite a number of well-known plays to his credit, as well as poems and other things,” Afra says.

“His work has always been popular with theatre groups from around the world, so we are really excited to entertain Bribie locals with this amazing show.

“It’s a really fun and entertaining production, with a wonderful twist at the end.”

The story centers on novelist Charles Condomine, who invites the eccentric medium Madame Arcati to his house to conduct a séance.

But his plan goes pear-shaped when the ghost of his first wife Elvira begins to haunt him, much to the annoyance of Charles’s current spouse, Ruth, who can’t see or hear the ghost.

Afra says a lot of work has gone into putting together the show.

“We have been rehearsing now for just over five weeks, and still have a few weeks to go, but we will be ready for our first show on July 26,” Afra says.

“We have a new stage manager for this show, so the attention to detail is fantastic.

“We put a lot of effort into the costumes, and the stage allows for everyone to have their moment.”

Throughout the course of the evening guests will also be treated to a light supper consisting of soup, a dessert, as well as tea and coffee.