Jennifer Saunders to return to ‘Blithe Spirit’, transferring to Harold Pinter Theatre

The Noel Coward play reopens in the West End, originally cut short due to the pandemic.

Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit will resume performances in the West End, now moved to a new home for autumn performances. Jennifer Saunders will reprise the role of Madame Arcati in Blithe Spirit, playing at the Harold Pinter Theatre from 16 September - 6 November.

This production of Blithe Spirit first opened at Theatre Royal Bath in June 2019, later transferring to the Duke of York's Theatre in March 2020. Two weeks into its run, performances were cancelled due to the pandemic.

Directed by Richard Eyre, Blithe Spirit sees a dinner party entertained mid-way through the night by clairvoyant Madame Arcati. Staging a séance in the dining room is tricky enough, but when Arcati gets in touch with the spirit of a guest's late wife, chaos ensues.

Jennifer Saunders plays Arcati, and will return to London in 2022 to star in Sister Act. Saunders is best known as one-half of comedy duo French and Saunders alongside Dawn French, starring in television shows including Absolutely Fabulous, The Comic Strip Presents... and Jam & Jerusalem.

Saunders is joined by original cast members Geoffrey Streatfeild as Charles Condomine, Lisa Dillon as Ruth Condomine, Simon Coates as Dr Bradman, Lucy Robinson as Mrs Bradman, and Rose Wardlaw as Edith. Madeleine Mantock will complete the cast in her West End debut as Elvira. 

In a review of Blithe Spirit at the Duke of York's Theatre, "Eyre's production... achieves liftoff, literally so, in the second half when Anthony Ward's set and Paul Kieve's illusions provide a memorable comic finale." 

Blithe Spirit is at the Harold Pinter Theatre from 16 September - 6 November.

^{Photo credit: Jennifer Saunders in Blithe Spirit (Photo courtesy of Blithe Spirit)}

^{Article Updated: 16 August 2021}