Do you scoff at “The Silence of the Lambs?” Do you roll your eyes at “Paranormal Activity?” That might change if you give live theatre a chance.
Opening April 10, the Longwood University Theatre Department is ready to put your screams of fright and laughter to the test with the comedy “Blithe Spirit” by Noël Coward. Set in 1940s London, “Blithe Spirit” follows the hysterical and improbable events of Charles and Ruth Condomine when they host the spirit of Charles’ ex-wife, Elvira, as a result of a silly séance that worked far too well.
Charles must work with Madame Arcati, the all-seeing medium, to send Elvira back to her world while appeasing Ruth, who quickly tires of Elvira’s antics.
Through witty, fast-paced humor, pitiful miscommunication and technical tricks, “Blithe Spirit” is sure to keep you engaged from opening to end.
The director for the play is Longwood alumnus Brad Tuggle. When speaking about what it was like to come back to his alma mater and direct a show, he said, “Longwood was such a formative experience for me, and working on productions was at the heart of that. It truly is an honor to be given the chance to come back here and in some small way help the students learn and grow.”
With this show, Tuggle wishes to give audience members the opportunity to “leave our everyday lives behind and enjoy ourselves for a while.” With finals only just around the corner, “Blithe Spirit” certainly gives you a chance to laugh before hitting the books!
Leslie Cook-Day, costume designer for “Blithe Spirit,” was given the challenge of bringing the characters to life in an aesthetic fashion, so to speak.
This endeavor does not go without its challenges, though. Cook-Day said, “Deciding which era-specific details to utilize and which might be too distracting for the audience presented a fun challenge.”
As a result, Cook-Day provided a balance between two approaches. She explained, “We put some of the actors in vintage pieces, right down to the undergarments, to give it the appropriate look, while for others it’s much more about the appropriate hairstyles and accessories.” From head to toe, the actors who cross the stage will help you perfectly envision the world of London in the 1940s.
On the performance side, junior theatre major Trent Williams embodies the result of helpful direction and authentic costuming.
Playing the lead role of Charles Condomine, Williams feels that Longwood and the Farmville community would appreciate the show because “it’s something different that we haven’t done recently [at Longwood]. It’s a new experience, and you will enjoy it. It’s funny, fast-paced and action packed.”
Williams added, “Working with a smaller cast that I know very well … makes experiences easier and makes you feel comfortable with making big choices.”
Despite any prior discomfort, Williams and the rest of the cast have produced a show that is undeniably ready for an audience, and prepared to take Longwood by storm.
If you enjoy high thrills and comedy, then “Blithe Spirit” is the show for you! Performances are April 10-12 at 7 p.m., April 13 at 3 p.m., April 17-19 at 7 p.m. and April 20 at 3 p.m. Ticket prices are as follows: $6 Longwood students; $8 Faculty/staff, non-LU students and senior citizens; $10 General Admission. (Cash, check, credit/debit and Lancer CA$H are accepted.) Don’t wait until the last minute to purchase tickets; be sure to stop by the Box Office in CSTAC and purchase your tickets ahead of time.
