Plays 52 - Blithe Spirit by Noël Coward

10. Blithe Spirit - Noël Coward

'Blithe Spirit' is a light-hearted romp about a writer and the women in his life; his current wife and the spirit of his first wife and how he attempts to break free of their supposed oppression.

Charles Condomine and his wife, Ruth, have invited their friends Dr Bradman and his wife, Violet to a séance as research for a thriller novel he is writing. Charles has also invited the notorious Madame Arcati so that he can observe a medium at work and garner some of the jargon and "tricks of the trade" that she employs. The tone of the event is tongue-in-cheek as both he and his guests assume that she is a charlatan. Madame Arcati arrives and tells how she is a little late because she had a premonition that she would get a puncture on her bicycle and returned home to get her pump. Much to the amusement of all assembled she reveals that she did not get one after all, Charles says ironically that she may get one on the way home.

Madame Arcati is very theatrical as she sets up the séance, telling everyone about the elemental spirits and poltergeists and introducing her guide, a child named Daphne who is quite mischievous. As Madame Arcati begins and she makes contact with Daphne who tells her that someone on the other side wishes to speak to Charles. Daphne then goes silent and Madame Arcati decides she must go into a trance to channel the spirit herself. Much to everyone's distress, the table begins to shake and Charles is astounded when his late first wife, Elvira, speaks and only he can hear her. He then hurriedly ends the séance and wakes Madame Arcati who leaves, somewhat crestfallen thinking she has failed, yet with the feeling that something has happened.

After Madame Arcati has left, everyone discusses whether or not she is a fake and Charles comes to the conclusion that she is somewhat deluded. The Bradmans leave and Elvira then appears to Charles in physical form. Much confusion is created when he addresses, and later admonishes Elvira, with Ruth thinking that he is talking to her. Ruth is in disbelief but later tries very hard to humour him as she clearly thinks that he is not well. She says that she will call Dr Bradman in the morning after Charles has got a good night's sleep, but Charles insists that he is alright. He attempts to prove that Elvira is there by getting her to play the piano, and to Ruth's utter shock she does so.

The next day, Ruth invites Madame Arcati to come back and attempt an exorcism; however she upsets her by revealing Charles' intentions for the séance: as a means to watch a supposed charlatan at work as research for his thriller novel. Charles is very relaxed about the whole thing and says that it is a unique opportunity and they should all try to enjoy it. However Ruth is determined and in a temper says that the following morning she will visit the Psychical Research Society and if they will not help, the Archbishop of Canterbury. She clearly thinks that they will be better equipped to carry out an exorcism than Madame Arcati.

A little while later, Charles and his maid, Edith, have both fallen down the stairs, apparently slipping on some axel grease which had been spread over the top of the stairs. Dr Bradman examines them both and says that Charles is suffering from nervous exhaustion and should rest. Ruth later tells Charles that she believes Elvira is trying to kill him off so she can have him to herself. Ruth then leaves with the car to contact Madame Arcati. Charles and Elvira have been planning a trip to Folkestone and it turns out that this was a ruse. Elvira has sabotaged the car, intending that Charles be killed in the inevitable crash; however it is Ruth that is now killed and returns angrily to confront Elvira.

Madame Arcati returns to attempt to sort things out and revels in the fact that she has been a part of bringing back someone from the other side. She establishes that there is someone else of psychic ability in the house and it turns out to be the maid, Edith. She comes down and while initially in denial, she inadvertently reveals that she can see both Elvira and Ruth. Madame Arcati begins the exorcism and in due course it appears as though Elvira and Ruth are gone. Warned that it may have been his love for his wives that manifested them in the first place, Charles actually seems very relieved to be free of them and it is doubtful whether he ever really loved them at all. Madame Arcati warns that although it appears as though they have gone, they may still remain in some form and it would be best for Charles to get away from the house for a while.

Charles then loudly denounces Ruth, Elvira and his unpresent Mother, saying that they have held him back and his entire life has been dominated by women. This forces their collective hand and they begin breaking ornaments and his records as he continues to rail against them. He says that he is now finally free to lead the life he wants to lead and can now enjoy himself.