What a joy Noel Coward can still be when done properly! The Peter Hall Company's touring production, at Richmond Theatre this week, really doesn't put a foot wrong. Blithe Spirit was Coward's own favourite play, written in an amazing five days during one of the darkest periods of the war. That it then ran for over four years is not surprising. It really is a wonderful antidote to depression. 
      When Charles Condomine decides to invite a psychic to dinner in order to gather material for the novel he is writing he little suspects that it will turn his life upside down. But despite the scepticism of Charles and his wife Ruth and Dr and Mrs Bradman, who join them, Madame Arcati manages to conjure up the spirit of Charles' dead wife Elvira. And then the fun really begins. 
      Amanda Drew makes a delightful Elvira, oozing sex appeal and playing the pouting child, while Joanna Riding's Ruth is the perfect foil, cool and together and sharp, not putting up with any nonsense. It was nice to see such an attractive Ruth as often she is rather plain compared to Elvira. In this fine production, directed by Thea Sharrock, one is much more aware of both women's charms…and faults. Aden Gillett as the man in the middle is suave and charming, and it's easy to believe that he fell for both these women and yet to feel at the same time that he would do very well on his own. His changes from shock to frustration to anger and finally into acceptance are all beautifully played. 
      Michelle Terry makes a meal of the maid's part with some very funny business without ever losing her reality and Barbara Kirby and Derek Hutchinson are lovely as the slightly odd couple caught up in the drama. 
      But the acting honours have to go to Penelope Keith who makes Madame Arcati deliciously real and believable while at the same time being quite ridiculously silly. Her joy when she realises a spirit has actually materialised is charming in its guilessness. And her hurt and chagrin at being termed an amateur are just as genuine. 
      With set, costumes and music to match and most importantly, Coward's lines delivered with the sincerity they deserve, this is a Blithe Spirit definitely worth catching.
Francine Brody