Review: Seattle Rep’s “Blithe Spirit” Is A Delicious Classic Comedy

Blithe Spirit @ Seattle Rep
Through December 22, 2024

With a cast of jesters and fools (really, really good ones), and a director (Allison Narver) with a talent for comedy and farce in particular, you’re bound to have a great time and a lot of laughs attending Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit at Seattle Rep! This is a classic comedy first performed in the 1940s and it remains as relevant today as it was when it debuted. The jokes are timeless and adding in a lot of physical comedy just enhances the fun immensely.

Plot summary: Charles and Ruth Condomine (Arlando Smith and Gin Hammond) are newishly married after Charles lost his first wife Elvira (Kirsten Potter) seven years earlier.  Charles is a successful writer and is researching for his next book – about a killer medium! He invites friends Dr. and Mrs. Bradman (Nate Tenenbaum and Sara Waisanen) to a séance with locally famous Madame Arcati (Anne Allgood).  While they are all skeptics, something absolute does happen during the séance. Elvira is summoned but only Charles can see her and hoo-boy does he want her to go away!

Add in a wildly funny turn as the housemaid Edith by Sophie Kelly-Hedrick (you have to see it to understand). This ensemble understands the mission. I’m particularly happy to see Kirsten Potter back on the stage and doing what seems totally natural to her; she infuses Elvira with pizzaz and petulance. Anne Allgood is having a great year portraying comic characters and hitting her timing impeccably.

Set in a beautiful period manor, Cary Wong’s design got a gasp of appreciation from the opening night audience. Cathy Hunt’s costumes are gorgeous and on-point. Connie Yun’s lighting and Cricket S. Myers’ sound augment the atmosphere to add spookiness and help make it clear when supernatural events are happening.

This is definitely a great substitute for holiday productions, while at the same time could be a great gift to friends and family you’d like to give “experiences” to. It’s also family friend fare and even kids as young as 10 will likely get most of the jokes. It will definitely alleviate any holiday doldrums!

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