If you’ve arrived here, welcome and enjoy.  The Shubert Theatre is one of legend, just watch Elaine Stritch at Liberty and you’ll understand.  PM JennStoc and I had tickets to see the Noel Coward play, Blythe Spirit and I was more than excited.  Why?  A couple of reasons.  I have always wanted to see a Noel Coward play live and in person and never have.  Second, the cast was ASTONISHINGLY wonderful to consider: Angela Lansbury (icon), Rupert Everett (one of my favorite gay men ever), Christine Ebersole…I mean, come on?!  The play began. 

Now…only 1 minor complaint.  The sound engineer didn’t have the actor’s mics up and sometimes it was hard to hear the entire witty bantered dialog.  That however was where the negative criticism ends.  The play is based on the idea that some social high class folks from Kent, England decide to host a seance as a means for the main male lead to get some ideas for a new mystery novel he’s writing.  In fine form, things go awry and hliarity ensues. 

Rupert Everett and Jayne Atkinson were a fine match for one another as husband and wife on stage and they handled the script masterfully.  Another highlight is Susan Louise O’Connor playing the maid, small role - big humour impact - bravo!  However, we were all awating the sensational Angela Lansbury to enter...and when she did, the theatre erupted in applause.  She’s definitely getting older, but her talent as an actress is still fresh and astonishing.  She played the “medium” Madame Arcati, and her conjuring dance was just too good to be true. She’s quite spritely still for being 83 years old.

Christine Ebersole was gorgeous and did a stunning job of playing the returned ex-wife’s ghost.  The set design was one room, but masterfully done and I was constantly amazed by the lighting effects that made you feel like you were in an English manor.  The wit was so thick and the writing by Mr. Coward so whipsmart it was just a joy to behold.  I highly recommend this play for anyone looking for an evening of high brow witicism and sensational performances for some of THE best actors in the business.

stars of out 4.