BLITHE SPIRIT Begins Previews at Stratford Festival

A hilarious battle of wits plays out in one of Noël Coward's most celebrated comedies, Blithe Spirit. Directed by long-time Stratford Festival favourite Brian Bedford, the gorgeously designed production started previews on Thursday, May 16, at the Avon Theatre.

Mr. Bedford, whose recent double triumph as director and star of The Importance of Being Earnest thrilled audiences first in Stratford and then on Broadway, returns for his 28th Festival season. Widely regarded as an authority on Coward's work, he has not only directed and acted inBlithe Spirit several times, he also knew the English playwright personally.

"I absolutely worshipped him," says Mr. Bedford. "I thought he was just a magical guy. And of course he was incredibly good company; he spoke with the same kind of wit and original energy that is in his plays."

Set in an exquisite 1940s Georgian style English house, Blithe Spirit centres on Charles, an author who cheekily engages a medium, Madame Arcati, to conduct a séance as research for his latest novel. Things go decidedly not as planned when she inadvertently raises the ghost of his late wife, Elvira, much to the chagrin of his current wife, Ruth. As the only one who can see or hear Elvira, Charles must figure out how to entertain his ethereal house guest without stepping outside of matrimonial bounds. Trying to keep everyone happy, as it turns out, is a hilarious challenge.

"Coward's laser-sharp wit and brilliant dialogue make this a delicious play - one that will serve as a source of joy and amusement within this Festival season," says Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino. "I was delighted when my mentor and friend, Brian Bedford agreed to direct this play and return to the Festival. He is a true master of bringing Coward to life. With an extraordinary cast, sumptuous costumes and outstanding production design, this is sure to be a wildly entertaining, feel-good evening out at the theatre."

The cast features Ben Carlson as Charles Condomine, Michelle Giroux as Elvira Condomine, Seana McKenna as Madame Arcati, Sara Topham as Ruth Condomine, James Blendick as Dr. Bradman, Susie Burnett as Edith and Wendy Thatcher as Mrs. Bradman.

"I'm really looking forward to [this production] because of the company," says Mr. Bedford. "I think it will be the best cast of the play that I've ever had."

The artistic team features Set Designer Simon Higlett, Costume Designer Katherine Lubienski, Lighting Designer Paul Miller, Sound Designer Jim Neil and Stunt Coordinator John Stead.

The Forum, the new festival within the Festival, is a series of activities and events designed to make a visit to Stratford an immersive, all-encompassing cultural experience. Through debates, talks, concerts, comedy nights, hands-on workshops and more, The Forum will offer theatregoers more ways to discover and examine the themes running through this season's productions.

Themes related to Blithe Spirit will be explored through several Forum events, including a Talking Theatre series, in which discussions are led by Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino and Education Consultant Pat Quigley on a variety of topics such as The Dynamics of Marriage,Woman as Stereotype, "Dying is fine, but death..." and Premonitions and the Supernatural, as embodied in many of this season's productions.

Support for the inaugural season of The Forum is generously provided by Kelly and Michael Meighen and the Province of Ontario, in partnership with the University of Waterloo, with media sponsorship provided by The Walrus. Support for the Speakers Series is generously provided in memory of Dr. W. Philip Hayman.

Blithe Spirit officially opens on June 1 and runs until October 20. For tickets, contact the box office at 1.800.567.1600 or visit www.stratfordfestival.ca.

Stratford Direct, the new daily return private bus service between Toronto and Stratford, began May 1. Departing once daily from May 1 to 25and October 1 to 20 and twice daily from May 27 to September 29 (on performance days only), the round trip costs only $20.

The Stratford Festival's 2013 season runs until October 20, featuring Romeo and Juliet, Fiddler on the Roof; The Three Musketeers, The Merchant of Venice, Tommy, Blithe Spirit, Othello, Measure for Measure, Mary Stuart, Waiting for Godot, Taking Shakespeare and The Thrill, along with more than 150 events at The Forum.

Cast (in alphabetical order):

Dr. Bradman........................................ James Blendick

Edith.................................................. Susie Burnett

Charles Condomine................................. Ben Carlson

Understudy.......................................... Shane Carty

Elvira Condomine................................... Michelle Giroux

Understudy........................................... Monique Lund

Madame Arcati...................................... Seana McKenna

Understudy.......................................... Kaitlyn Riordan

Mrs. Bradman....................................... Wendy Thatcher

Ruth Condomine.................................... Sara Topham

Artistic Credits:

Director.............................................. Brian Bedford

Set Designer......................................... Simon Higlett

Costume Designer.................................. Katherine Lubienski

Lighting Designer.................................. Paul Miller

Sound Designer..................................... Jim Neil

Stunt Coordinator................................... John Stead

Producer............................................. David Auster

Casting Director.................................... Beth Russell

Creative Planning Director........................ Jason Miller

Assistant Set Designer.............................. Devon Bhim

Assistant Costume Designer....................... Sara Brzozowski

Assistant Lighting Designer....................... C.J. Astronomo

Stage Manager....................................... Michael Hart

Assistant Stage Managers.......................... Meghan Callan, Holly Korhonen

Apprentice Stage Manager........................ Christopher Sibbald

Production Assistant................................ Katie Honek

Production Stage Manager......................... Julie Miles

Technical Director.................................. Elissa Horscroft

Pictured: Clockwise from top: Michelle Giroux, Ben Carlson, Seana McKenna, Sara Topham. Photo Credit: Don Dixon.