As an NSTA Representative, I had the pleasure of attending the joyful performance of Blithe Spirit at Ardingly College on Friday 28 November 2025. Noël Coward’s 1941 play was intended to lift the spirits of audiences during the Second World War with the playwright’s mischievous trivialisation of morality. Under the expert guidance of director Caroline Farmer, with assistance from Ia Ganeva, the farcical comedy unfolded as the medium, Madame Arcati, seemingly inadvertently summoned the ghost of Charles Condomine’s first wife into the home he shares with his second wife. As the evening progressed, it was clear that in the Ardingly auditorium, the cast and crew were well and truly lifting this audience’s spirits.
From the moment I entered the venue, I was transported to the 1940s with themed refreshments, soldiers as ushers, and some impressive singing of wartime tunes by Ardingly pupils. Not only was this hugely enjoyable for the audience, but the backdrop also served as an effective reminder of the need for satirical comedy at the time Coward first wrote and performed this play. The naturalistic set design, both on and off the stage, conjured the era perfectly, preparing us for a night of excellent entertainment.
The opening scene established the comedy effectively within the comfortable, sensible, but ultimately unexciting marriage between Ruth and Charles. Louisa was utterly convincing in her role as the smart, well spoken, and sophisticated Ruth, who values stability and order above all else. She communicated every ounce of detailed characterisation and comedy with crystal clear precision and skill. As her husband, Charles, Iggy successfully embodied the witty, sophisticated, and ultimately self serving protagonist. A highlight of the show came when the two actors were joined by Isabelle as the ghost of Elvira, taunting Charles and causing hilarious misunderstandings between the living wife and her husband. Isabelle’s portrayal of a vivacious, carefree, and manipulative spirit was a brilliant foil to Louisa’s grounded but increasingly enraged Ruth. Iggy played the bewildered husband caught between two wives with brilliant comic tension in these hilarious moments. Further highlights came during moments of physical comedy when Elvira sent objects ‘flying’ across the room to prove her existence and, later, when Isabelle showed great skill as she ‘fought’ the ghost of Ruth. All three actors truly excelled when working as a trio in this farcical love triangle.
Of course, the moment that led to the unleashing of Elvira’s ghost and the desperate séances that followed centred on Joshua’s highly entertaining portrayal of the wonderful Madame Arcati. Joshua charmed the audience with his eccentric vocals and physicality, always bringing a sense of fun and frivolity to the stage. Andrew, as Dr Bradman, successfully provided scepticism and a rational voice in the face of any supernatural occurrence, whilst Lottie, as Mrs Bradman, effectively contributed to the comedy as she playfully portrayed her more impressionable, excitable and curious character.
The play was brilliantly punctuated by Emily’s high-quality physical comedy as the inexperienced, nervous yet well-meaning maid, Edith. Emily committed to every detail of hilarious physicality with a sense of creative courage beyond her years. The audience could do nothing but erupt into spontaneous applause at Emily’s particularly elongated exit, as her character awkwardly negotiated the lunch items, the tray, and the doorway: a masterclass in physical comedy!
As well as seeing talented pupils on stage, it is always wonderful to see pupils fully involved in the design and technical elements of school productions. This production saw a great many pupils take on important backstage roles – including Lexie as Deputy Stage Manager – which clearly contributed hugely to the success of the performance. The management of the brilliantly effective destruction of the living room by the ghosts in the play’s closing moments was a notable feat, as well as a treat for the audience. As the lighting designer, Jonny achieved a very effective aesthetic with clear transitions from day to evening, as well as impactful alterations of atmosphere. Highlights in the lighting included the adjustments emphasising Elvira’s spiritual entrance and the darting spotlight indicating the new addition of Ruth’s ghost.
Ardingly’s Blithe Spirit was not just a school production; it was a testament to the power of collaboration, creativity and commitment. Every cast and crew member, regardless of role, contributed meaningfully and significantly to the production’s success. Every detail highlighted the power of drama in education, truly showcasing the great talent and dedication of both students and staff.
National School Theatre Awards
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