Blithe Spirit: As Dry and Delicious As a Good Martini
starobserver.com.auBlithe Spirit, is camp and farcical out of the box but the Sydney Theatre Company (STC) has somehow managed to turn the dial a few more notches.
Their new mounting of the play, now on at the Sydney Opera House, retains all of the original charm while also feeling fresh, modern and just a little bit cheeky.The main character, Charles Condomine, is a vain and self-indulgent writer.
Coward, knowingly or otherwise, has reflected some of himself in the character. After finishing his play he reportedly said:“…disdaining archness and false modesty, I will admit that I knew it was witty, I knew it was well constructed, and I also knew that it would be a success.”And he was right.This STC production is a visual feast filled with hidden Easter eggs.
David Fleischer’s set is a panoramic of a self-contained 1930s interior. Panning from far left is a fireplace, a small library, a lounge room with lush russet settee and wood-framed moss-green armchair, a round, wooden ornamental table, walnut baby grand piano, then double glass doors at the side, presumedly leading out to the patio.
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