April 2008 Newsletter


A supernatural comedy by Noel Coward
 
Thursday 7th to Saturday 10th May 2008  
Tickets: £5    Ticket Line: 01332 550454

Blithe Spirit is an 'improbable farce' written by Noel Coward which takes its title from Percy Bysshe Shelley's poem To a Skylark. The action of the play centres on socialite Charles Condomine being haunted by the ghost of his first wife Elvira following a séance, and Elvira's continued (and increasingly desperate) efforts to disrupt Charles' current marriage. The play is notable for the comic character of Madame Arcati, the eccentric medium.

As with most of Coward’s work, Blithe Spirit is renowned for its dialogue. The following comment comes from Charles Condomine when arguing with his wife during a breakfast scene: “If you're trying to compile an inventory of my sex life, I feel it only fair to warn you that you've omitted several episodes. I shall consult my diary and give you a complete list after lunch.”

The play set all manner of British box-office records. Its mark of 1,997 consecutive performances in the West End was only eventually beaten by Boeing Boeing in the 1970s.

Blithe Spirit was also made into a successful film in 1945, adapted by Coward himself and directed by David Lean. The film stars Rex Harrison, Constance Cummings, Kay Hammond and Margaret Rutherford with Joyce Carey and Noel Coward as narrator.

Help: QUADS members have volunteered to help with most aspects of production, but more help is needed, particularly help with serving refreshments! Please let any of the committee know if you can help to support the production. 

Tickets are £5.  Performances start at 7.45pm, doors open 7.15pm. Tickets from Elaine Bentley, phone (01332) 550454 or email elaine.bentley@nottingham.ac.uk 

Best Wishes, 

Rob Snell

Secretary - QUADS

01332 840007

robandsophie@hotmail.com

Previous QUADS Newsletters
February 2008 Newsletter (webpage)
January 2008 Newsletter (webpage)
December 2007 Newsletter (webpage)
October 2007 Newsletter (webpage)
August 2007 Newsletter (webpage)
July 07 Newsletter (Word document)