Review: Noel Coward farce of battling spouses still strong; 'Clue' is whodunit with style

DENNIS ― Eventide Theatre Company’s production of Noel Coward’s “Blithe Spirit” shows off the dark comedy’s easy laughs and timeless appeal.

In 1941, playwright Coward’s funny farce “Blithe Spirit” proved just the ticket to offer comic relief from the grim realities of an expanding World War II. This confection of wit and words was perfect because it didn’t require audiences to think too deeply about the characters, or work to acquire sympathy for their antics, but simply to sit back and enjoy the comic plight of a clueless husband, increasingly beset by two wives ― his all-too-current spouse, as well as the ghost of his late former wife, who has materialized from the afterlife after a séance gone wrong. This play’s blithe spirit broke box office records in the 1940s, and continues to delight audiences in the present day.

Name of show:  “Blithe Spirit”

Written by: Noel Coward (1941), directed by Lynne Johnson, performed by Eventide Theatre Company in Dennis.

What it’s about: Dysfunctional, be-turbaned spiritualist Madame Arcati (a tour-de-force as played by Kathleen Larson Day) accidentally opens a portal to the afterlife during a séance at the home of writer Charles Condomine (the superb Zack Johnson), materializing his late first wife, Elvira (Shannen Dando). She sets out to disrupt his current marriage to Ruth (Rebecca Riley) in any way possible, eventually hatching a plan that may mean he’ll soon join her (forever) in the spirit world. Both women are all-too-visible to Charles, and their presence has thrown his life into a tizzy.

The play turns on lively physical comedy and witty, back-and-forth dialogue, as Elvira and Ruth wreak havoc on the hapless Charles. Arcati’s incomplete mastery of her spiritual powers results in pandemonium, as Charles makes disastrous attempts to mediate between his petulant wives.

See it or not: Coward’s talents lay in creating the height of early 20^th-century chic: polished, witty comedies that both depict and satirize the self-appointed sophisticates of the time. “Blithe Spirit” presents a stage combo that’s both cerebral and highly physical. It’s flippant and funny, cloaked inside the trappings of a stuffy drawing room crowd.

Superb direction by Johnson showcases impeccable performances from a versatile, talented cast. The dialogue just pops. Riley nails the role of the faux-sophisticated Ruth, while Dando vamps it up as the otherworldly Elvira, projecting a very earthy brand of sexiness.

Their efforts target poor Charles, who’s in way over his head with these two sparring women. Johnson never steps out of character, amping up the increasingly frazzled Charles with a range of hilarious mannerisms, and a dead-on delivery of wry, mordant wit. Not to mention the wacko maid, Edith (Madison Mayer, who turns out to be central), and fine supporting characters Dr. and Mrs. Bradman (Alex Lucchesi, Liz Argo).

Highlights: The high spirits, zany action and captivating stage presence of Day’s Madame Arcati form the whipped cream topping for this delicious battle of the sexes. Day is its comic fulcrum, attired in sparkly turban, red satiny skirt and clunky argyle socks. She erupts with glee, puzzlement or frustration, changing the quality of her voice at will to express confusion or determination, supremely confident in her zany efforts to interact with the spirit world.

In the show’s more famous international productions, Arcati has been played by the likes of Margaret Rutherford and Angela Lansbury – hefty shoes to fill. Day makes the role her own, creating a unique persona for the Eventide stage.

Worth noting: The stage set is worth viewing for its own beauty and affinity to the era portrayed, while sound, ghostly stage effects, lighting and gorgeous costuming all add to this gem of a production.

If you go:  Performances of “Blithe Spirit” are 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, with 2 p.m. matinees on Sundays, through Feb. 11. (Feb. 4 sold out).  Performed on the Gertrude Lawrence Stage at Dennis Union Church, 713 Main St., Dennis. $31. Box office: 508-233-2148; more information at www.eventidearts.org.

Barbara Clark

Colorful ‘Clue' on stage at Falmouth Theatre Guild 

What was a dinner party for six of Washington’s most un-American Americans has become a whodunit investigation as bodies pile up and a killer tiptoes around Boddy Manor in Falmouth Theatre Guild’s production of “Clue.”

The guests — all blackmail victims of Mr. Boddy’s — must work together to figure out which one of them is the killer, but how do you pick just one suspect from a haystack of motives?

Is it Mrs. Peacock? The illustrious wife of a Senator who takes under-the-table bribes in exchange for senatorial votes. Or Colonel Mustard? A decorated officer caught on camera with a lady of the night. Or how about Mrs. White? A widower with some skeletons looming in her closet — and on her marriage licenses.

With so many motives and so many suspects, do you think you can solve this game of “Clue”?

The show: “Clue” is directed by Jakob White and stars Thomas Moakley as Wadsworth, Lily Anderson as Yvette, Jodi Edwards as Miss Scarlet, Nicole Charbonneau as Mrs. Peacock, Danielle Gelehrter as Mrs. White, Peter Cook as Colonel Mustard, Alex Valentine as Professor Plum, Hadassah Nelson as Mr. Green and Robert Bock as Mr. Boddy.

What’s it about: Six guests, all strangers to each other yet all being blackmailed by the same culprit, are invited to a dinner party at Boddy Manor. When they arrive, they know nothing about the other guests beyond their assigned pseudonyms, and wonder who brought them all together. But, when their host turns up dead, the group must work together to figure out which one of them is the murderer.

Highlights of the show: The best performance of the night was Charbonneau’s. Her “Mrs. Peacock” irked me just as much as the original Mrs. Peacock — there’s just something about her that gets under my skin. From her overly exaggerated reactions to her  nasal accent, Charbonneau brought the stuck-up senator’s wife to life as the original script intended.

See it or not: In this reviewer’s opinion, “Clue” is a decent production that overall stays true to the original 1985 film but with some added flair. But I found myself focusing on individuals and wanted a more cohesive communal performance. I wanted more chemistry. As the run goes on and the chemistry between the cast continues to build, I feel that the show will grow with it.

Worth noting: An announcement is made before the show begins but for prospective audience members, be advised that strobe lights and gunshot sounds are used in this production.

Fun fact: The original cast of “Clue” included Tim Curry as Wadsworth and Christopher Lloyd as Professor Plum.

One more thing: If you saw “Matilda” at the Cotuit Center for the Arts then you might recognize Yvette and Mr. Green who played Miss Honey and Miss Trunchbull.

If you go: “Clue” is running at the Falmouth Theatre Guild (58 Highfield Drive) until Feb. 18. Tickets are $30 for adults, $28 for seniors and $25 for those under 18 — including the $3 service fee. Showtimes are at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. on Sunday. To buy tickets www.falmouththeatreguild.org/.

Frankie Rowley

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Review: Cape Cod kicks off winter theater with farce and whodunit