Thursday, March 23, 2006; LZ17
Upon its 1941 debut, Noel Coward's "Blithe Spirit" was criticized for its airy treatment of death and the occult. Nevertheless, Coward's almost Wildean take on such macabre subjects rocketed the play to fantastic success. Wakefield School's recent production carried on that tradition, unleashing the humor in Coward's grim quips.
"Blithe Spirit" revolves around the debonair author Charles Condomine, who, while researching the occult, accidentally conjures the spirit of his dead wife, Elvira. His second wife, Ruth, is none too pleased, and she becomes even less so when Elvira's ghost begins trying to do her husband in, purely, in Ruth's mind, to spite her.
Chris Stone so effectively filled the role of a upper-class author, with a prolific vocabulary and condescending attitude, that his presence became almost annoying, mimicking the effect of actually spending time with people like that. Seldom was he onstage without a nice suit and a glass of brandy. And, of course, he had terrific posture.
Stone's portrayal of an unlikable literary snob made the problem of his quibbling wives, and the miserable hysterics to which they reduced him, highly amusing.
Rachel Squire as Ruth and Laura Prahlad as Elvira bickered amusingly like a pair of 6-year-olds, despite the obvious problem of the former's inability to see the latter.
Squire did an excellent job looking through her fellow actress to yell at the walls. Prahlad, a lively ghost, took great glee in being as snide and bratty as possible.
The stage was furnished with Victorian furniture, bookshelves and various trophies of affluence, all neatly and tastefully arranged. It was all the more impressive, and entertaining, when these classy trappings came toppling over at the peak of an otherworldly rage, to much noise and the audience's delight.
In the beginning of the play, a few of the actors seemed sluggish, but as its momentum rose, the actors followed suit, growing to a furious pitch along with the script.
"Blithe Spirit" is a not-so-subtle tribute to the funny side of problems, whether marital, professional or even mortal. A bizarre, quirky and possibly even downright disturbing facet of even the prickliest situation can be humorous. And, as Wakefield School's production showed, once that glimmer of comedy is found, there is no predicament that isn't funny.
Greg Benson
HB Woodlawn Secondary Program
Everyone knows that love conquers all, even death. However, in Wakefield School's production of "Blithe Spirit," when a batty psychic conjures the specter of Charles Condomine's first wife, Elvira, the result is quite nearly the opposite.
Written in 1941 by Noel Coward, the play is set in Charles and Ruth Condomine's living room, the very place where Charles's first wife, Elvira, died.
Charles, seeking inspiration for his next novel, invites a medium to visit, but he gets more than he bargains for when the medium summons Elvira. To Charles's horror, only he can see the phantom, who proceeds to torment him for remarrying by causing mischief and generally being a nuisance.
As the hapless Charles, Chris Stone adeptly conveys emotions -- bewilderment, rage and acceptance. As his first wife causes mayhem and madness and his second wife declares him insane, Stone, with brilliant comedic timing, turns to drink, at one point downing nearly an entire bottle.
With high energy and an extremely comfortable stage presence, Laura Prahlad, as Elvira, was a highlight of the show. Her devious facial expressions and animated body language created a believable and engaging performance.
Rivaling Elvira for Charles's heart, Ruth, played by Rachel Squire, fought to remain calm despite the chaos enveloping her. Squire did not shy away from the difficult task of depicting her character's rage, perfectly overlapping her shouted lines with Stone's, making their confrontations more fluid and authentic. When addressing Elvira, she made a point of never looking directly at her, cleverly reminding the audience that no one but Charles could see the mischievous specter.
The production took place in Wakefield's gymnasium, so the sightlines and acoustics were less than optimal.
The set was handsomely designed, however, complete with a couch, two chairs and a fireplace and mantel. Lighting, designed by Elena Stock, was minimal but effective, and the stage crew, led by Julia Falcon, was quick and quiet.
Overall, Wakefield School's thespians did a fine job, reminding the audience of the power of love, even in death, and of just how frightening ex-wives can be.
Maddy Smith
HB Woodlawn Secondary Program
Throughout the school year, the Loudoun Extra is publishing occasional reviews of high school shows, reviews written by student critics under the guidance of faculty mentors as part of the Critics and Awards Program, also known as Cappies.
The program recognizes the achievements of young performers, writers, directors and stage crews. For more information, visithttp://www.cappies.com.