Eighty-nine-year-old theater icon Angela Lansbury delivers her award-winning role in “Blithe Spirit” deliciously—like a magic genie—as Madame Arcati in Noel Coward’s play he claimed to have drummed out in five days in 1941 to become one of the most popular plays of his career.
Director Michael Blakemore revived “Blithe Spirit with a successful Broadway production in 2009 when Lansbury won her 5th Tony Award. He then decided to take the production to London to sold out audiences with Lansbury’s return to the London stage after 40 years on March 18, 2014. And now she is here and we are delighted.
Charles Edwards (Charles Condomine), known as Lady Edith’s publisher lover on Downton Abby (will they ever find him?), appeared in the London production and Simon Jones (Dr. Bradman) appeared in both the London and Broadway productions. Susan Louise O’Conner as Edith plays the newly hired inept maid with a grand approach that keeps the British humor under hysterical control. Charlotte Parry (Ruth), Jemima Rooper (Elvira) and Sandra Shipley (Mrs. Bradmore) complete a first-rate cast.
Charles Condomine asks questionable medium Madame Arcati for a séance at his home for research for his latest book. Madame Arcati unwittingly brings Charles’ first wife’s ghost back. He can see and hear her while no one else can. Then the fun begins.
Simon Higlett’s set is gorgeous, lighting by Mark Jonathan with sound by Ben and Max Ringham and costume design for Miss Lansbury by Martin Pakledinaz all come from the Broadway and London productions and add fine talent to this presentation.
“Blithe Sprit” is a typical Coward comedy, but with Lansbury and this marvelous cast it is brought up to the top level of Coward. It is worth a trip to the city
Where: Golden Gate Theatre, 1 Taylor St., San Francisco
Running Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes with one intermission
Through: Feb 1
Tickets: $45- $175.
For tickets and information call (888) 746-1799 or visit shnsf.com.
