Film & Theatre, Reviews | Posted on October 15th, 2026 | return to news

REVIEW; Blithe Spirit, Ferndown Drama, Barrington Theatre

By Marilyn Barber

Any company that creates such an inspired Art Deco set as the one that graces the Ferndown stage this week shows that it is committed to producing the very best drama.

Peter Gutteridge is not only the producer and director, he also designed the set and built it together with stage manager Richard Close.

So before the first word was uttered, the audience is transported to Noël Coward’s world.

And the first actress on the stage sets the tone for the evening. Making her first appearance with the company, Jasmine Webster is delightfully over the top as maid Edith who, desperate to please her employers, the Condomines, scurries and curtsies at every opportunity.

Jeremy Mills is suave as novelist Charles Condomine, but when events beyond his control start to erupt, his facial expressions tell a different story.

His wife Ruth is played with spirit and pizzazz by Julie Gower, who lights up the stage.

Mark Ward is a fine character actor, and he takes on the persona of the mild Dr George Bradman with aplomb, teaming well with his more excitable wife Violet, played by Christine Hughes.

I could run out of superlatives to describe the performance of Sue Gibson as Madame Arcati, the medium who conjures up Charles’s first wife Elvira. She inhabits the character with every sinew of her body with exaggerated facial expressions and movements around the stage that are truly eccentric. This is a performance that could not be improved upon.

Finally, we have Elvira played by Lynne Honeybourne Biles whose previous theatrical experience was more than evident. It’s a gem of a part to which Lynne gives her all, with a ‘spirited’ performance.

My friend and I had seen the play before, but both feel that this one is far superior to previous productions. It runs until Saturday – try to get a ticket.