Full Cast for Blithe Spirit at Gielgud Theatre

The full cast has been announced for Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit, which opens at the Gielgud Theatre 18 March 2014, following from 1 March 2014, booking to 7 June 2014 .

Joining previously mentioned 88 year old Angela Lansbury as medium Madame Arcati, Janie Dee (Ruth) and Charles Edwards (Charles Condomine), are Jemima Rooper (Elvira), Serena Evans ( Replacing Sandra Dickinson as Mrs Bradman), Simon Jones (Doctor George Bradman), Patsy Ferran (Edith) .

Directed by Michael Blakemore, designed by Simon Higlett , lighting by Mark Jonathan.

Researching for his new novel, Charles Condomine invites the implausible medium Madame Arcati to his house for a séance. Whilst consumed in a trance, Madame Arcati unwittingly summons the ghost of Charles' dead wife Elvira. Appearing only to Charles, Elvira soon makes a play to reclaim her husband, much to the chagrin of Charles' new wife Ruth.

Angela Lansbury is reprising a role that won her a Tony award on Broadway four years ago. She was last in London in 1975 playing Gertrude opposite Albert Finney’s Hamlet at the National Theatre, directed by Peter Hall. Janie Dee is a multi-award winning actress, singer and musical theatre performer. Her work on stage has earned her the Olivier, Evening Standard and Critics’ Circle Best Actress Awards for the leading role in Comic Potential in the West End and on Broadway, as well as the Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical for Carousel. Charles Edwards appearance brings Charles back to Blithe Spirit as he made his theatrical debut in the play. Since then his star has continued to rise with numerous roles at the National Theatre including This House. Other National Theatre performances include Twelfth Night, The Duchess of Malfi, All My Sons and Strange Interlude. On television he is best known as Michael Gregson, a wealthy London publisher and suitor of Lady Edith Crawley in Downton Abbey. Jemima Rooper's most recent theatre credits include originating the role of Rachel Crabbe in the National Theatre’s One Man, Two Guvnors, in the West End and on Broadway, the All My Sons alongside David Suchet and Zoë Wanamaker. Sandra Dickinson has had an acting on stage and screen for over 35 years. Her theatre credits include A Streetcar Named Desire, Not About Nightingales and Orpheus Descending. Most recently she played Miss Dinsmore/Dora Bailey in Singin’ in the Rain at Chichester Festival Theatre and in the West End. Simon Jones reprises this role in Blithe Spirit, having also played the part on Broadway alongside Angela Lansbury. Patsy Ferran trained at RADA. This will be her professional stage debut.