Blithe Spirit

Ghostly, glamorous, and outrageously hilarious, Noël Coward’s camp classic comes to the stage with a stellar cast.

21 Mar - 14 May 2022

Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House

The Play

Noël Coward’s    

BLITHE SPIRIT

Directed by Paige Rattray

Till death do us part?

International drag sensation Courtney Act joins an all-star cast to bring this wicked and witty comedy classic back to life.

Australian stage and screen star Matt Day plays Charles Condomine, a novelist who’s recently married his second wife Ruth (Bessie Holland, Accidental Death of an Anarchist), after the tragic death of his first, Elvira (played by Act). In the hopes of gathering some material for his new book, Charles invites eccentric medium (see: crackpot) Madame Arcati (Brigid Zengeni, Death of a Salesman) to his house to conduct a seance. The couple and their droll friends expect a lark, and perhaps a few cheap scares. But the ritual goes mysteriously awry and Charles ends up with much more than he bargained for.

Ghostly, glamorous and more than a little mischievous, Elvira returns from the world beyond the veil, ready to wreak havoc on the ‘happily’ married couple.

Noël Coward is one of theatre’s greatest wits and Blithe Spirit is his sharpest, most twisted, most hilarious farce. Directed by STC’s Associate Director Paige Rattray (The Beauty Queen of Leenane, Black is the New White) and also featuring Nancy Denis, Tracy Mann (Home, I’m Darling), and Megan Wilding (Banging Denmark), this production will take Coward’s camp sensibilities and wrench up the volume, resulting in a thoroughly contemporary, outrageous, and undeniably joyful night at the theatre.

Approx. duration 2hrs 40mins (including interval). Subject to change. More info.
Content Contains haze, complete theatrical blackouts, strobe lighting and the use of herbal cigarettes. Subject to change. More info.

VISITOR SAFETY INFORMATION

Sydney Opera House is COVID Safe. The safety of our audiences, artists and staff is of paramount importance. We’ve implemented extensive safety and hygiene measures which are regularly updated in line with NSW Government guidelines. This is an evolving situation and our COVID-19 safety protocols are subject to change.  Please check the most up-to-date Visitor Safety Measures prior to your visit.

TICKET INFORMATION

Single tickets
Mon – Thu performances
Adult A Reserve $104
Seniors cardholder $99
Concession $78
Under 30 $54

Fri & Sat performances 
All tickets $109

Preview performances
All tickets $54

Transaction fees may apply
Season Ticket bookings: no fees
Single ticket bookings: $8.50 online; $8 telephone; $0 Box Office counter

Noël Coward: https://www.noelcoward.com/
Alan Brodie Representation: https://www.alanbrodie.com/

DATES

Previews 21 – 24 Mar 2022
Season 26 Mar – 14 May 2022

Performance start times
Preview performances 7.30pm
In-season evening performances Mon & Tue 6.30pm; Wed – Sat 7.30pm
Matinee performances Wed 1pm; Sat 1.30pm
Schools performances 11.30am

Approx. duration 2 hrs 40 mins (including interval). Subject to change. More info.

TICKET INFORMATION

Single tickets
Mon – Thu performances
Adult A Reserve $104
Seniors cardholder $99
Concession $78
Under 30 $54

Fri & Sat performances 
All tickets $109

Preview performances
All tickets $54

Prices are correct at the time of publication and subject to change without notice. Exact prices will be displayed with seat selection.

Transaction fees may apply
Season Ticket bookings: no fees
Single ticket bookings: $8.50 online; $8 telephone; $0 Box Office counter

Concession, seniors and under 30 tickets
Suitable and valid identification must be provided for collection of tickets and at the venue, such as your concession or proof of age card. Alternatively, you may email a copy of your identification to [email protected]. Please quote your booking reference number.

Access requirements
For specific access requirements, please call Box Office on (02) 9250 1777 to book your seats. More info.

Authorised ticket sellers
The only authorised ticket sellers for this event is Sydney Theatre Company and Sydney Opera House. Only tickets purchased by authorised agencies should be considered valid and reliable. More info.

ACCESS PERFORMANCES

Audio Described Performances
Tue 19 Apr, 6.30pm
Sat 23 Apr, 1.30pm

Captioned performances
Tue 26 Apr, 6.30pm
Sat 30 Apr, 1.30pm

Auslan Interpreted Performances
Thu 12 May, 7:30pm

SCHOOLS PERFORMANCES

Wed 6 Apr, 11.30am
Browse our full Education program

Director Paige Rattray
Designer David Fleischer
Lighting Designer Damien Cooper
Associate Lighting Designer Ben Hughes
Composer & Sound Designer Clemence Williams
Assistant Director Tait de Lorenzo

With
Courtney Act, Matt Day, Nancy Denis, Bessie Holland, Tracy Mann, Megan Wilding, Brigid Zengeni

Understudies
Glenn Hazeldine, Stephanie Somerville

Marketing image Rene Vaile

This listing is updated as cast and creatives are confirmed in the lead-up to the production, and if there are any changes to the team. Ensure you have the most up-to-date information about each play by opting in to our enewsletter.

INSIGHT EVENTS 

We offer a range of free and ticketed events designed to give you further insight into our plays. Find out more about our Insight Events.

Pre-season Briefing
Mon 14 Mar, 6.15pm
Wharf 2 Theatre
FREE, but bookings are essential as capacity is limited.
Book tickets

Night with the Artists
Mon 4 Apr, 6.30pm
Mon 11 Apr, 6.30pm

Pier Group Lunch
Mon 14 Feb, 12.30pm
The Theatre Bar at the End of the Wharf
Book tickets

“this is one funny night out” Sydney Morning Herald

★★★★ “a lesson in how to breathe new life into a heritage comedy” Time Out

★★★★ “an utter camp delight...an extremely enjoyable theatrical experience if you like sharp, clever, dark comedy. “ ArtsHub

“brilliantly over-the-top… The performers are a delight” The Australian

“good camp fun… the laughs come easily” The Guardian

“Paige Rattray’s production is a delightful, diversionary evening of hijinks and hilarity thanks to a series of strong performances and a generous dollop of stage magic… Coward would love every ridiculous minute of it” Limelight

“Bessie Holland delivers nothing short of a masterclass” Suzy Goes See

★★★★★ “Pure joy…delightful to watch” Sydney Sentinel

“Exquisitely comic” Stage Whispers

★★★★ "This is the Sydney Theatre Company firing on all cylinders and Blithe Spirit is an all-round crowd-pleaser of a production." The Queer Review

"Paige Rattray comic touch is sure and the pacing and timing are excellent” Sydney Arts Guide

"a visual feast filled with hidden Easter eggs.” Star Observer

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