One stormy night, you and your second wife decide to dabble in the occult, and now you and you alone can see and hear your dead first wife. It’s no horror movie. It’s the plot of the beloved Noël Coward English drawing room comedy Blithe Spirit, now running at the Barn at the Marin Art and Garden Center in Ross through Dec. 15.
I have always loved this script, but this is really a niche show adored by theater nerds, Anglophiles and lovers of pre-screen nostalgia. It may be a bit out of touch for the modern attention span.
To begin with, director David Abrams has chosen not to cut a single thing, so the show runs as it initially debuted in 1941 at its full three-hour length with two intermissions. Secondly, what was a light-hearted farce then is a wordy play now, prone to bogging down in the Britishness of it all. Some line issues and slow pacing at the start did not help with the wordiness and length.
However, pacing and length aside, this production has some beautiful elements. First is the set by Tom O’Brien. Not only did O’Brien put a full drawing room on the stage; he did so beautifully. The deep yet harmonious color palette makes the walls themselves a character in the play.
Second are the “tricks.” If you know the play, you know they’re quite a production challenge. If you don’t know the play, I won’t spoil it. But know that none of the tricks are easy despite how smoothly Adams, his production team and the running crew make it seem. A special commendation to whomever rigs, executes and resets the final moment every night.
There are also some solid performances, such as Malcolm Rodgers’ Charles Condomine. Standout performances include Tori Truss’ Madame Arcati, a hilarious yet believably grounded character with a memorable entrance and exit every time. Similarly, Ashley Garlick plays Elvira with the perfect mix of sensuality, intelligence and strength of character. Linking these two is their mastery of the physical comedy required for both roles.
Finally, and perhaps most impressively, is the costume/makeup design by Valera Coble. There are literally no words to express the artistry that went into the Elvira design. If nothing else, see the show for that alone.
Just don’t go on a night when you have to get up early the next day.
‘Blithe Spirit ’ runs through Dec. 15 at the Barn Theatre in the Marin Art and Garden Center, 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Ross. Thurs.-Sat., 7:30pm; Sun., 2pm. $20–$35. 415.456.9555. rossvalleyplayers.com.
