The playbill for the Peninsula Players' production of Blithe Spirit notes that the play is "a witty comedy by Noel Coward." That certainly is the truth. One-liners and bon mots fly from the characters' mouths. But it is the actors that carry the day in this sometimes rough and slow-moving production of the show. The Coward chestnut—or is that war horse?—is a comedic take on the afterlife and haunting spirits. It's all about a seance gone horribly wrong that brings back the wife of writer Charles' dead wife, Elvira. Once he adjusts to the situation, Charles begins to enjoy his time with his wife and his dead wife. Well, more of the time with his dead wife. That leads to even more friction. But the complications continue until Charles, Elvira and Ruth cannot stand the situation any longer. They call on Madame Arcati to rid the house of the haunting.
Blithe Spirit is definitely a Noel Coward play. It is full of fast-paced one-liners and insults. One example? "You are rather glacial this morning," Charles tells Ruth at breakfast.
But the play is also very brittle. The characters spend so much tearing at each other, it is difficult to generate any sympathy for them. And since both the spirits and the living suffer from this malady, you can't really root for either side. It also takes some time to get going. Most of the first act sets the characters and the scene. At times, the dialogue is little more than Coward exercising his extensive wit.
Overall, the actors have a fine production to work with. Veteran director Greg Vinkler has stuck to the play's basics -- witty dialogue and comedic action -- and crafted a show that highlights the strengths and works through the difficulties.
