rOcKS @ 'Blithe Spirit'

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 5/27/09 at 5:17pm

I finally got around to seeing the current production of BLITHE SPIRIT this afternoon. I enjoyed myself and definitely laughed quite a bit, but while it's a harmless distraction of a production, it just doesn't stack up against the other almost unquestionably brilliant play revivals that this season has offerred (i.e.: NORMAN, SPEED-THE-PLOW, EXIT THE KING, and so on).

The incredibly faithful, old-school direction by Michael Blakemore felt totally stale, bringing nothing fresh to the creaky text. Nothing about this production really feels like it should be seen urgently, except for the majority of the troupe of performers so perfectly casted who so effortlessly carry this show.

Christine Ebersole was strong, reliably wry and acerbic, but nothing quite fantastic. Rupert Everett makes a very strong Broadway debut, Jayne Atkinson is sensational, and Susan Louise O'Connor is funny but her part gets tired after the first few times she runs around (a prime example of how creaky some of the humor is).

Best of all, of course, is the simply incomparable Miss Lansbury who is giving an immensely funny and grounded yet ridiculous performance as Mme. Arcati. It was my first time seeing her live and she certainly did not disappoint. She has the Tony in the bag and rightfully so. She's worth the price of admission.

Again, my main problem with this piece is how safely directed it seems and how that highlights the creakiness of the writing (I mean, I stopped laughing at the jokes where Everett would say something nasty to Ebersole but Atkinson would think he was speaking to her after the first two times). It's a fine production, just nothing quite spectacular. The cast is very strong and it's very well-designed (loved the costumes, sets, and lights) but it's a bit stale.

Go see it for Lansbury's soon to be iconic performance, though. She's a riot. Too bad the rest of the show just isn't at that level.

--I rushed it and was in the front row, great seats. Rosie O'Donnell was in attendance.--

**1/2 out of ****

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 5/27/09 at 5:43pm

I actually didn't think the text felt creaky at all, so it's interesting that you said that.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 5/27/09 at 6:18pm

I thought the play got slow towards the end, actually, by the last couple scenes I couldn't wait for it to be over. But overall, I thought the direction worked and was faithful to the script which I don't think is necessarily a bad thing. I loved the Noel Coward humor so that might have something to do with it.
While I agree that Lansbury is wonderful, I still think that the unsung hero of this revival is Jayne Atkinson who had me eating at the palm of her hand (and simply cracking up by the minute) with every word, every nuance, every gesture. What a brilliant performance and unfortunately almost completely unrecognized because she's not the name that Lansbury, Everett and Ebersole are. Oh and her chemistry with Everett is through the roof.
I disagree re Ebersole, I wouldn't say she was strong at all. I thought she was in a completely different play. I mean, it's a strong script so she delivers but she was the weakest links among the principals, IMO.
I thought Susan Louise O'Connor was hilarious throughout and I did find all the little misunderstandings with the Everett, Atkinson, Ebersole triangle. Again, I think it's mostly because of my affinity to Coward's humor which as you pointed out is repetitive (and I wonder how a director could get around something like that, I don't think it's Blakemore's fault).
I can't agree that the show isn't up to Lansbury's standards. In fact, I thought the whole cast (save for Ebersole) was incredibly tight and uniformly great--even if, as I pointed out earlier, I thought Atkinson gave the best performance and is worth the price of admission.
And how great are those Noel Coward numbers between scene changes? I saw it on a matinee and it definitely made for a great afternoon at the theatre.

[karen24]

Posted: 5/27/09 at 6:50pm

Overall I agree with all of your comments, especially re: Atkinson and Lansbury. I also felt that Ebersole seemed not quite right for the part, although I couldn't really put my finger on why.
However, I'm not sure what Blakemore could have done differently in terms of revitalizing the show or bringing a fresh take to it. I feel it is what it is, a talky, 1920s drawing-room comedy. I'm not sure what could be done to get away from that. I think it's just showing its age. For me the director and most of the cast (other than Ebersole--and don't get me wrong, I generally love her, and I loved her recordings in between the scenes--I just think she was miscast here) did a fine job with what they had to work with.

[Rudy2]

Posted: 5/29/09 at 2:47am

I am only a casual Ebersole admirer, not even close to an out and out fan, but I think she does a wonderful job here. Elvira is supposed to be ethereal and detached from everyone - she's a ghost. In a way, the character *should* seem elsewhere. Anyway, I thought she did a wonderful job..."oh, how I wish I could have a cucumber sandwich, I did love them soooooo!"

I certainly agree about Jayne Atkinson being the unsung hero of this production. Right on, Ray. She is indeed alone worth the price of admission, as of course is Lansbury, who I could write paragraphs on. You have to love Jayne's facial expressions when Christine blows out the flame of the lighter - just priceless. After this I will keep my eyes pealed for her name on theatre marquees.

Updated On: 5/29/09 at 02:47 AM

[philcrosby]

Posted: 5/29/09 at 10:56am

I directed Jayne in a college production 30 years ago ... she was brilliant then and is now. We are seeing the show closing weekend, and I am thrilled!

[adamgreer]

Posted: 5/29/09 at 11:45am

I very much enjoyed this production, especially Lansbury, who is a joy to watch onstage. It's a very well-cast, solid production. Highly enjoyable, and I may return to see it one last time this summer.

It speaks to the high quality of play revivals this year that this production was not nominated for Best Revival. I can think of years when this production would not only have been nominated, but won Best Revival.