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Blithe Spirit
"An insane farce that is also uproarious."--NY Times
"I will ever be grateful for the almost psychic gift that enabled me to write Blithe Spirit in five days during one of the darkest years of the war." - Noel Coward. Written in 1941, Blithe Spirit remained the longest-running comedy in British Theatre for years. Plotted around the central role of one of Coward's best loved characters, a medium Madame Arcati (originally played by Margaret Rutherford). Coward's play is a spirited charade about a man with 2 wives, one dead and another alive.
"I will ever be grateful for the almost psychic gift that enabled me to write Blithe Spirit in five days during one of the darkest years of the war." - Noel Coward. Written in 1941, Blithe Spirit remained the longest-running comedy in British Theatre for years. Plotted around the central role of one of Coward's best loved characters, a medium Madame Arcati (originally played by Margaret Rutherford). Coward's play is a spirited charade about a man with 2 wives, one dead and another alive.
130 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1941
About the author
Noël Coward
354 books203 followersSir Noël Peirce Coward was an English actor, playwright, and composer of popular music. Among his achievements, he received an Academy Certificate of Merit at the 1943 Academy Awards for "outstanding production achievement for In Which We Serve."
Known for his wit, flamboyance, and personal style, his plays and songs achieved new popularity in the 1960s and 1970s, and his work and style continue to influence popular culture. The former Albery Theatre (originally the New Theatre) in London was renamed the Noël Coward Theatre in his honour in 2006.
Known for his wit, flamboyance, and personal style, his plays and songs achieved new popularity in the 1960s and 1970s, and his work and style continue to influence popular culture. The former Albery Theatre (originally the New Theatre) in London was renamed the Noël Coward Theatre in his honour in 2006.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 249 reviews
August 20, 2021
Celebrity Death Match Special: Blithe Spirit versus Deirdre's Photo Casebook
Match point: astral threesomes
Match point: astral threesomes
June 8, 2024
Two Coward plays now read. Blithe Spirit was the better of them (the other being Private Lives), in fact I would say it's up there with Caryl Churchill's 'Top Girls' as one of Britain's best. However, for me, Tom Stoppard's Arcadia is still top dog, the bee's knees, the cream of the crop, the most brilliant British play I have read to date.
Blithe Spirit is comical, farcical, and a fun light read, but it is of an acquired taste, something only us Brits may truly understand. The play is in three acts, and whole the story borderlines on the ridiculous, but that's the point. It may seem dated now to some, but to me it still felt incredibly original. As fresh as a daisy in springtime. All the characters work wonderfully well, and with a great use of dialogue and a superb ending it was a rare treat!
May 19, 2019
Witty and pointed.
This starts off clever enough, but there's an undercurrent, while not quite the Hemingway school of male/female relationships, that's bitter. Eau de Badgered Male. Reminds me of mean spirited cocktail parties where everyone's smile is a bit sharp.
This starts off clever enough, but there's an undercurrent, while not quite the Hemingway school of male/female relationships, that's bitter. Eau de Badgered Male. Reminds me of mean spirited cocktail parties where everyone's smile is a bit sharp.
August 9, 2021
Funny at times, but a bit too silly for my taste. I've always enjoyed Noel Coward but this one just wasn't my cup of tea.
June 22, 2022
Прилично интересна пиеса, от която се е получил и прилично интересен филм.
Оценка: 3.45 🌴👱
Оценка: 3.45 🌴👱
May 19, 2021
My favourite Noel Coward play.
July 22, 2024
بین همه نمایشنامه هایی که از این نویسنده تو این چندروز خوندم این از همه جالبتر بود البته من نسخه فارسی از نشر قطره رو خوندم به اسم روح سرخوش که اینجا توی گودریدز پیداش نکردم برای همین نسخه انگلیسیشو زدم. ماجرای نمایشنامه در مورد مردیه نویسنده ست و سالها پیش همسر جوون و زیباشو از دست داده و با یه زن دیگه ازدواج کرده و حالا داره یه کتاب مینویسه در مورد احضار روح و تصمیم میگیره یه مهمونی توی خونه اش بگیره و یه خانومی که متخصص اینکاره رو دعوت میکنه و اون خانومه اشتباها همسر قبلی این آقارو احضار میکنه و باقی نمایشنامه به کشمش به همسر زنده و همسر مرده این آقا و کلی اتفاقهای دیگه میگذره. پایانش برخلافش انتظارم اصلا رمانتیک نبود.
August 12, 2021
Critic Louis Kronenberger, citing this as a classic
comedy, notes that it concerns "one of the most
refreshing menages a trois in modern theater." Souffled
madness, he adds, a blend of the urbane and the
fantastic sustain the high-farce. The medium, Mme
Arcati, who accidentally "calls back" a dead wife,
is a riotous role. (The husband must suddenly cope w two wives.) Last seen on Bwy, Angela Lansbury as the daffy medium, tottered and couldnt recall lines. The two
wives were dreary. Only Rupert Everett added seltzer.
Here's a play that provides a very funny read. It's Coward's best. The US (1941) production ran over 2 years on Bwy and 4 years in London.
comedy, notes that it concerns "one of the most
refreshing menages a trois in modern theater." Souffled
madness, he adds, a blend of the urbane and the
fantastic sustain the high-farce. The medium, Mme
Arcati, who accidentally "calls back" a dead wife,
is a riotous role. (The husband must suddenly cope w two wives.) Last seen on Bwy, Angela Lansbury as the daffy medium, tottered and couldnt recall lines. The two
wives were dreary. Only Rupert Everett added seltzer.
Here's a play that provides a very funny read. It's Coward's best. The US (1941) production ran over 2 years on Bwy and 4 years in London.
April 1, 2024
4.5 stars.
This is my fourth play by Noel Coward. Honestly, I had been hesitant to continue with his works because the first couple I read (Present Laughter and Design for Living) were decent, but not really doing it for me. Properly enjoying Private Lives is what convinced me to try at least one or two more, and I'm glad I did because Blithe Spirit is my favourite from Coward so far.
Full disclosure: classic ghost comedies/romances are specifically my cup. I grew up absolutely loving movies ranging from Topper (1937) to The Time of Their Lives (1946) to The Canterville Ghost (1944) to The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947). I've never seen the 1945 film adaptation of Blithe Spirit, but I definitely intend to now. This is just aggressively my cup of tea.
The story follows a writer who invites a medium to host a seance for himself, his wife, and a couple of friends, largely as research for his next novel. Unfortunately his wife is not his first wife and the seance rouses the ghost of his deceased first wife, who only he can see and hear (although she is able to cause ghostly chaos). The story is full of delightfully chaotic hijinks, and it takes some wild twists and turns along the way.
I listened to the LA Theatre Works production, and everyone delivered excellent performances in it.
I really enjoyed this one. I look forward to trying out the movie adaptation, and I'd be willing to reread this as well. I would definitely recommend it, and I hope to check out one or two more Coward plays in the near future.
This is my fourth play by Noel Coward. Honestly, I had been hesitant to continue with his works because the first couple I read (Present Laughter and Design for Living) were decent, but not really doing it for me. Properly enjoying Private Lives is what convinced me to try at least one or two more, and I'm glad I did because Blithe Spirit is my favourite from Coward so far.
Full disclosure: classic ghost comedies/romances are specifically my cup. I grew up absolutely loving movies ranging from Topper (1937) to The Time of Their Lives (1946) to The Canterville Ghost (1944) to The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947). I've never seen the 1945 film adaptation of Blithe Spirit, but I definitely intend to now. This is just aggressively my cup of tea.
The story follows a writer who invites a medium to host a seance for himself, his wife, and a couple of friends, largely as research for his next novel. Unfortunately his wife is not his first wife and the seance rouses the ghost of his deceased first wife, who only he can see and hear (although she is able to cause ghostly chaos). The story is full of delightfully chaotic hijinks, and it takes some wild twists and turns along the way.
I listened to the LA Theatre Works production, and everyone delivered excellent performances in it.
I really enjoyed this one. I look forward to trying out the movie adaptation, and I'd be willing to reread this as well. I would definitely recommend it, and I hope to check out one or two more Coward plays in the near future.
April 27, 2020
1st required reading for school.
I guess this was fun but I don't think plays are to be read as they are to be seen or watched
I guess this was fun but I don't think plays are to be read as they are to be seen or watched
April 6, 2024
2,5/3 estrellas. Me gustó, pero hasta ahí. Siento que sería algo súper entretenido y gracioso de ver en vivo (y es más, hasta quizás le pondría más puntaje). Vamos a ver qué onda el análisis con Tiggie mañana 👍🏻
July 23, 2016
From BBC Radio 4 Extra:
When writer Charles Condomine invites a medium to hold a séance at his country house, he anticipates little more than some harmless fakery and a lot of good material for his new novel. Instead, he gets a ghostly visitation from his dead first wife, rather to the chagrin of his very much alive second one...
Noël Coward's classic comedy stars Roger Allam as Charles and Maggie Steed as Madame Arcati.
Adapted for radio by Bert Coules. Director Philip Franks. Producer Patrick Rayner.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2008.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01ghlgw
When writer Charles Condomine invites a medium to hold a séance at his country house, he anticipates little more than some harmless fakery and a lot of good material for his new novel. Instead, he gets a ghostly visitation from his dead first wife, rather to the chagrin of his very much alive second one...
Noël Coward's classic comedy stars Roger Allam as Charles and Maggie Steed as Madame Arcati.
Adapted for radio by Bert Coules. Director Philip Franks. Producer Patrick Rayner.
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2008.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01ghlgw
August 30, 2017
I enjoyed reading this play -- it certainly was rather humorous (Madame Arcarti is a marvellous character!). Coward explores superstition, the inequalities of the class system and the breaking of convention in this mystical piece.
January 23, 2023
Oh I must say I found this absolutely funny as feck. Fliss can vouch for the fact that I was sat there, sniggering and giggling away at the witty repartee, repeating in a grasp at explanation:
“It’s just so funny. They’re so witty. I want to be like this.”
It’s true!! They just don’t write quick-witted women the same way anymore. Where, I ask, is the screwball comedy material these days??? Whenever there is any, it’s actually a horrendous attempt. Can’t think of a film with any genuinely intelligent, quick-fire comedy in the past 5 years. Nice one, Hollywood…
Particularly in this play, I just love the sophisticated yet simultaneously completely insultive dialogue. Verrry Dandy-esque. A lot of it reminds me of Oscar Wilde’s humour. Except Coward isn’t anywhere near as misogynistic. He writes women who can hold their own in arguments, who aren’t just accessories to male characters or complete wet lettuces. Hell, he actually writes women. That’s more than you can say for Wilde 😭😂
But they both share the same settings and characteristics in their stories: middle-to-upper class cast (couples in Coward’s case, weird single 20-something men in Wilde’s case), no children, lots of bickering, an undercurrent of bitterness, and it’s all entirely amusing. It’s all pure mockery of that sect of late 19th century/ early 20th Century high society for our entertainment. I absolutely bloody love it.
The amount of times I underlined a series of dialogue that made me laugh is impressive. There are oh so many “HAHA!!”s or “I love this woman”s or “Too funny”s written in the margins. Elvira and Ruth are so fecking funny. Ruth is more subtle about it, more adult and full of backhanded insults. Elvira just delivers the most straight-up, immature, yet brilliantly timed one-liners. She’s the definition of a bitch but in the best way possible. Not really malicious, definitely has a soft side, but she provokes people and pushes their buttons like it’s nobody’s business. Charles is so good at humouring them both, instead of getting pathetically insulted and irritated, and thus there is room for funny back and forth ‘I know your game, you can’t fool me’ banter from all parties.
I also loved the ongoing joke about her hanging out with all these famous figures of history over on the ‘Other Side’. The part when she complains about being dragged back to this world whilst she was in the middle of a lovely chess game with a charming man called Genghis Khan. Or that Madame Arcati’s spirtualist trances were even more farcical than the stupid shows that Merlin puts on for everyone on the Other Side. At least he wears a cape to set the mood. There were so many others and it became, as I said, an ongoing joke throughout the play.
I would absolutely love to see this on stage, because it’s such a brilliant use of staging to create humorous situation. The fact that only Charles can see and hear Elvira generates absolute argumentative chaos when he’s trying to talk to Ruth, and Elvira keeps piping in. On telling Elvira to “shut up” or “stop being so distasteful”, Ruth naturally thinks he is addressing her as she cannot hear Elvira’s insultive quips, and takes total offence at what she thinks is Charles’ outright disrespect towards her.
I also love how Coward used the fact that nobody else can hear Elvira apart from Charles by having him ‘water down’ the insults she makes when Ruth is trying to talk to her through him, so as to not generate a war-zone in the house.
On stage, the fact that we would be able to see Elvira too, would make even funnier the reactions of those characters on stage who cannot see her.
I haven’t got the book on me at present but when I get my hands on it, I’m gonna put some of my favourite quotes down here.
“It’s just so funny. They’re so witty. I want to be like this.”
It’s true!! They just don’t write quick-witted women the same way anymore. Where, I ask, is the screwball comedy material these days??? Whenever there is any, it’s actually a horrendous attempt. Can’t think of a film with any genuinely intelligent, quick-fire comedy in the past 5 years. Nice one, Hollywood…
Particularly in this play, I just love the sophisticated yet simultaneously completely insultive dialogue. Verrry Dandy-esque. A lot of it reminds me of Oscar Wilde’s humour. Except Coward isn’t anywhere near as misogynistic. He writes women who can hold their own in arguments, who aren’t just accessories to male characters or complete wet lettuces. Hell, he actually writes women. That’s more than you can say for Wilde 😭😂
But they both share the same settings and characteristics in their stories: middle-to-upper class cast (couples in Coward’s case, weird single 20-something men in Wilde’s case), no children, lots of bickering, an undercurrent of bitterness, and it’s all entirely amusing. It’s all pure mockery of that sect of late 19th century/ early 20th Century high society for our entertainment. I absolutely bloody love it.
The amount of times I underlined a series of dialogue that made me laugh is impressive. There are oh so many “HAHA!!”s or “I love this woman”s or “Too funny”s written in the margins. Elvira and Ruth are so fecking funny. Ruth is more subtle about it, more adult and full of backhanded insults. Elvira just delivers the most straight-up, immature, yet brilliantly timed one-liners. She’s the definition of a bitch but in the best way possible. Not really malicious, definitely has a soft side, but she provokes people and pushes their buttons like it’s nobody’s business. Charles is so good at humouring them both, instead of getting pathetically insulted and irritated, and thus there is room for funny back and forth ‘I know your game, you can’t fool me’ banter from all parties.
I also loved the ongoing joke about her hanging out with all these famous figures of history over on the ‘Other Side’. The part when she complains about being dragged back to this world whilst she was in the middle of a lovely chess game with a charming man called Genghis Khan. Or that Madame Arcati’s spirtualist trances were even more farcical than the stupid shows that Merlin puts on for everyone on the Other Side. At least he wears a cape to set the mood. There were so many others and it became, as I said, an ongoing joke throughout the play.
I would absolutely love to see this on stage, because it’s such a brilliant use of staging to create humorous situation. The fact that only Charles can see and hear Elvira generates absolute argumentative chaos when he’s trying to talk to Ruth, and Elvira keeps piping in. On telling Elvira to “shut up” or “stop being so distasteful”, Ruth naturally thinks he is addressing her as she cannot hear Elvira’s insultive quips, and takes total offence at what she thinks is Charles’ outright disrespect towards her.
I also love how Coward used the fact that nobody else can hear Elvira apart from Charles by having him ‘water down’ the insults she makes when Ruth is trying to talk to her through him, so as to not generate a war-zone in the house.
On stage, the fact that we would be able to see Elvira too, would make even funnier the reactions of those characters on stage who cannot see her.
I haven’t got the book on me at present but when I get my hands on it, I’m gonna put some of my favourite quotes down here.
June 5, 2023
ENGLISH: This is the fifth time I've read or watched this play, this time in the Estudio-1 archive. I like this work better than the play by Jardiel Poncela, "Un marido de ida y vuelta", which is similar but the ghost is a man, rather than a woman, and is dressed as a bullfighter.
Elvira, first wife of the protagonist, becomes visible to him, but Ruth, his second wife, can't see or hear her. This gives rise to many amusing misunderstandings and entanglements. Things get complicated, because the protagonist and Ruth discover that Elvira is trying to kill her ex-husband to take him with her to the afterlife...
ESPAÑOL: Esta es la quinta vez que leo o veo esta obra, esta vez en el archivo de Estudio-1. Esta obra me gusta más que la de Jardiel Poncela, "Un marido de ida y vuelta", que se le parece, pero el fantasma es un hombre, no una mujer, y sale vestido de torero.
Elvira, primera esposa del protagonista, se le aparece, sin que Ruth, su segunda esposa, la vea ni la oiga. Esto da lugar a múltiples y divertidos malentendidos y enredos. La cosa se complica, porque el protagonista y Ruth descubren que Elvira está tratando de matar a su ex-marido para llevárselo consigo a la otra vida...
Elvira, first wife of the protagonist, becomes visible to him, but Ruth, his second wife, can't see or hear her. This gives rise to many amusing misunderstandings and entanglements. Things get complicated, because the protagonist and Ruth discover that Elvira is trying to kill her ex-husband to take him with her to the afterlife...
ESPAÑOL: Esta es la quinta vez que leo o veo esta obra, esta vez en el archivo de Estudio-1. Esta obra me gusta más que la de Jardiel Poncela, "Un marido de ida y vuelta", que se le parece, pero el fantasma es un hombre, no una mujer, y sale vestido de torero.
Elvira, primera esposa del protagonista, se le aparece, sin que Ruth, su segunda esposa, la vea ni la oiga. Esto da lugar a múltiples y divertidos malentendidos y enredos. La cosa se complica, porque el protagonista y Ruth descubren que Elvira está tratando de matar a su ex-marido para llevárselo consigo a la otra vida...
December 17, 2020
A bubbling, funny play about a man who accidently summons the ghost of his first wife during a séance and the drama that ensues. The attitude of the characters made me think more of the flappers of the 1920s than the 40s, but I realized reading this that usually I skip right to WW2 when I think 40s so maybe this sums up the depression era thinking.
Anyway, rather dark humor but would be quite funny to watch performed.
Anyway, rather dark humor but would be quite funny to watch performed.
November 22, 2021
2.5 stars
I know Noel Coward is considered a genius, and this play is supposed to be one of his best, but it didn't do much for me. Maybe it's too old and outdated, or maybe it's just not suited to my sense of humor. On a positive note, the performances on this audio version were superb.
I know Noel Coward is considered a genius, and this play is supposed to be one of his best, but it didn't do much for me. Maybe it's too old and outdated, or maybe it's just not suited to my sense of humor. On a positive note, the performances on this audio version were superb.
October 24, 2022
Basic Plot: A seance goes awry, bringing the ghost of a man's dead wife back from beyond.
Tolerably amusing. I didn't find it terribly funny, but the premise was amusing and there were some moments that I thought were entertaining. It suffers from time-period-common sexist stereotypes. Any story that deals with unrepentent cheating spouses automatically loses its humor for me, so the addition of mentions of this toward the end of the play soured it for me.
Tolerably amusing. I didn't find it terribly funny, but the premise was amusing and there were some moments that I thought were entertaining. It suffers from time-period-common sexist stereotypes. Any story that deals with unrepentent cheating spouses automatically loses its humor for me, so the addition of mentions of this toward the end of the play soured it for me.
May 9, 2018
The more I read plays, the more I grow to enjoy how easy it is to read them. Everything is so straightforward because all you get to read is some of their movements and all dialogue. It’s a great change of pace from long chapter books.
But as a whole this play was very well written.
If you wanted to improve your vocabulary this play is a good one to read. I really did enjoy the British diction.
The characters were enjoyable to read about. All the characters are very complex and have very interesting motives.
Do I feel as it their were a lot of things left unsaid? Yes, 100%. Will I read this play again, yes, that is if I want to direct a scene from it in theater. I hope that when my theater class discusses it I will understand some of the rough ends.
I would recommend it to anyone. I think plays don’t get enough credit for how great there writing is.
But as a whole this play was very well written.
If you wanted to improve your vocabulary this play is a good one to read. I really did enjoy the British diction.
The characters were enjoyable to read about. All the characters are very complex and have very interesting motives.
Do I feel as it their were a lot of things left unsaid? Yes, 100%. Will I read this play again, yes, that is if I want to direct a scene from it in theater. I hope that when my theater class discusses it I will understand some of the rough ends.
I would recommend it to anyone. I think plays don’t get enough credit for how great there writing is.
July 22, 2023
As with his other famous play Private Lives this one touches on familiar themes. The current straight laced, somber wife is weighed up against the easy going joys of the lost partner. In addition to the expected wit this time we get an added supernatural element.
Update: just saw it performed by a quality local cast, very witty and enjoyable indeed.
Update: just saw it performed by a quality local cast, very witty and enjoyable indeed.
September 27, 2018
An author researching the methods of spirit mediums hosts a seance and unexpectedly brings back the ghost of his ex-wife and they immediately resume their bickering. The current wife gets involved, more death and haunting ensues.
Very funny play. What could have been silly was nuanced and clever. The man's ambivalence and the fluid nature of relationships with people deceased made it complex enough to trigger deeper consideration while bringing on the laughter.
Highly recommend.
Very funny play. What could have been silly was nuanced and clever. The man's ambivalence and the fluid nature of relationships with people deceased made it complex enough to trigger deeper consideration while bringing on the laughter.
Highly recommend.
July 16, 2014
There's nothing like the ghost of the former spouse to really mess with your happy romance. Coward is so very funny.
February 27, 2018
This play reminds me of the 1992 movie Death Becomes Her with Goldie Hawn, Bruce Willis, and Meryl Streep .
*RTC*
*RTC*
April 28, 2019
a fun story filled with warmth and intelligence and wit. I read this play so long ago bit I still remember certain scenes and it was just an all around good fun story.
Would like to do a reread at some point.
Would like to do a reread at some point.
January 16, 2022
This is my first venture into the works of Noel Coward and I was not disappointed. This play is perfectly described as an ‘improbable farce’.
When Charles Condomine holds a seance, he accidentally calls back the spirit of his dead wife, Elvira. Cue the ensuing shenanigans and utter pandemonium…
The dialogue and repartee between the characters is hilarious and there are a couple of real laugh out loud moments. The plot is bordering on ridiculous but it is this utter lightheartedness which holds the appeal, in my opinion.
I would definitely recommend this and I am now eagerly looking forward to reading more of Coward’s work :D
When Charles Condomine holds a seance, he accidentally calls back the spirit of his dead wife, Elvira. Cue the ensuing shenanigans and utter pandemonium…
The dialogue and repartee between the characters is hilarious and there are a couple of real laugh out loud moments. The plot is bordering on ridiculous but it is this utter lightheartedness which holds the appeal, in my opinion.
I would definitely recommend this and I am now eagerly looking forward to reading more of Coward’s work :D
July 31, 2022
This is a crazy play, so ridiculous it works. I think the comedic thrills stem from not knowing what’s coming next, so if you see it or read it for the first time, try to avoid spoilers beforehand. When the twists came I didn’t know whether to gasp or laugh, or both. I did watch the original 1945 film produced by Noel Coward, plus the 2020 version. Both were fun in their own ways. Quite the experience.
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January 6, 2021Noël Coward wrote Blithe Spirit: An Improbable Farce in Three Acts during World War II, and that may partly account for its artfully macabre humor, which reads quite nicely in our own parlous time. Not exactly hilarious but steadily engaging, it’s a classic example of the modern pièce bien faite, improbabilities and all.
October 3, 2018
Fun farce. Can't help but compare to Oscar Wilde. Different era, similar silliness. Fun to listen to. LATW does such a good job on these radio plays.
January 27, 2020
An energetic, wry, playful take on Noël Coward's classic, L.A. Theatre Works Blithe Spirit is worth a listen if you like Oscar Wilde-lite.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 249 reviews