During the evenings of Oct. 30, 31, and Nov. 1, the Saint Leo Theater department was performing Noel Coward’s play, Blithe Spirit, with direction from the new Dramaturgy professor Dr. Alicia Corts.
Written during World War II, Blithe Spirit follows the strained marriage of Charles and Ruth Condomine (played by Lois Martinez and Rosemary Luycx, respectively) after they welcome the eccentric medium, Madame Arcati (Kaitlyn McWilliams), into their home for a research-driven seance. Though he had only intended the seance to show him the ‘tricks of the trade’ for charlatan psychics and mediums for his writing, Charles did not think that the seance would actually bring his first wife, Elvira (Kathryn Davis), back from the ‘other side’ to haunt him and his home.
Similarly to past productions like The Serpent in Spring 2013 and Everyman in Spring 2014, Blithe Spirit was performed outside. Unlike these past plays, this one was shown on the pavilion between the Music and the Campus Security and Safety buildings. The audience was set out in a semi-circle around the set, which limited the seating compared to the productions usually held in Selby Auditorium. Thanks to this limited seating, people had to reserve a place to sit for possibly the first time in years.
The students did an amazing job with this production. They delivered their lines clearly and with good emotion, managing to be heard over the blaring radios of passing vehicles and the echo of the wind blowing through the concrete pillars of the pavilion. Even characters who were not on stage as often as Charles, Ruth, or Elvira were portrayed vibrantly to display their personalities. Samuel Stokes effortlessly showed the rigid skepticism of Dr. Bradman, Rebecca VanOrskie easily portrayed Mrs. Bradman’s supportive nature, and Charizma Dunphy flawlessly breathed life into Edith’s bias towards Charles.
Despite the minimal set, the illusion of being in the Condomine sitting room was easily imaginable and believable. The set never once felt stark or barren; something was always taking place and the room was constantly being filled with bright humor and ectoplasmic antics. The one-room set was anything but small or cramped as the simple movement of furniture created a dynamic area for the events of the play to unfold.
Though there were a few setbacks and a mistake or two, the show went on and the actors persevered. A few bumps in the road could not upset their theatrical wagon.
There are two more performances in the works from the Saint Leo Theater. The Acting and Directing Showcase with be held Dec. 3 at 7:00 pm in TECO Hall. The Spring play will be Agatha Christie’s A Murder is Announced and will be shown April 1-3 and again on April 8-10 at 7:00 pm. As of yet, no location has been given for this production.
