BWW Reviews: RLT's BLITHE SPIRIT is Simply Delightful

Raleigh Little Theatre closes its very diverse and entertaining season with a "haunting" comedy in Blithe Spirit, currently playing through next weekend.

Blithe Spirit is Noel Coward's story of novelist Charles, who enlists the services of a medium in order to gather information for a character in his new novel. To everyone's surprise, their séance manages to conjure up the spirit of Charles's late wife Elvira, much to the consternation of his current wife Ruth. Elvira causes plenty of commotion, made all the more hilarious by the fact that Charles is the only one who can see her.

The set, designed by Thomas Mauney, is perhaps the most impressive I've seen at Raleigh Little Theatre. The set not only captures the time period well, but allows for interesting blocking for the actors and, of course, some ghostly activity.

The cast impressively tackles Coward's wordy script, led by the talented John Allore as Charles. The true star here is Coward, whose witty writing soars in this production, leaving the audience in stitches. Coward's intellectual yet uniquely accessible writing is aided by this company of actors and the direction of Tony Lea. There are a few priceless moments, including Allore's Charles making very dry martinis, as he opens the bottle of vermouth and exposes the glass of gin to mere vermouth-y air. RLT's Blithe Spirit is a truly joyous night of comedy.

Blithe Spirit runs through June 22. For tickets and more information, visit www.raleighlittletheatre.org.