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ENGLISH LANGUAGE THEATRE IN BASEL SINCE 1975
AUDITION INFORMATION
“Blithe Spirit” by Noël Coward
Rampe Theatre, Borromäum, Byfangweg 6, Basel
Director: Scott Holland
Technical and Dress Rehearsal dates: 4, 5, 6 and 7 June 2017
Performance dates: 9, 10, 16, 17, 23 and 24 June 2017
Auditions will take place at Rampe Theatre, Borromäum, Byfangweg 6, Basel
Wednesday 18 January: 19.00-22.00 and Sunday 22 January: 14.30-18.00
Director’s guidelines:
Noël Coward is a British theatre legend whose literary style has been adored, parodied and
performed for very close to 100 years. Some of his other famous plays are: “Private Lives”, “Hay
Fever” and “The Vortex”. “Blithe Spirit” is perhaps Coward’s most mature and best-constructed
play and is a classic black comedy written in 1940. This ‘improbable farce’ was a success in London
and New York shortly after it was written and was made into a film some years later starring Rex
Harrison. The play was also made into a musical version in 1964 called 'High Spirits' and has had
success playing all over the world.
It is a very witty, spirited and fast-moving comedy which I have loved ever since I acted in it in a
school production. I enjoy it now because of Coward’s ability to play with language and use wit to
deal with social issues. It is essentially a comedy of wit in very unlikely circumstances and contains
plot twists and an additional surprising reveal in the plot at the end of the play. It has excellent
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Audition Information (3 pages)
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roles for the 3 principal actors playing Ruth, Elvira and Charles as well as a stellar role for a
seasoned actress in the form of Madame Arcati (Angela Lansbury just played the role in the last 5
years to international success in her 80s).
I chose this play because it is a good challenge to work on with an amateur theatre company and is
great fun for audiences to watch if done at the correct pace and with the right combination of
people.
Coward is very witty and I would direct the play at a quick pace, but again focus on the realistic
elements of the acting within the bizarre circumstances. It should buzz and hum along like a
cheerful or ‘blithe’ spirit, despite the frustrating and complicated scenario for its characters.
Role descriptions can be found on the application form, but I am open to different age ranges for
actors and am more concerned with finding the right combination and chemistry. I do think that
being proficient and clear in English is very important to the casting and the production. An English
accent (South England / East Anglian / Kent in the UK) is not absolutely essential for the auditions or
even the characters. However, I would like all actors to be open to the possibility of this if they are
serious about the roles.
I am interested in theatre primarily to understand behavior and enjoy moments between
characters with the goal of keeping the audience entertained at all times. I will direct “Blithe Spirit”
from that point of view. Style and pace are very important here, but so are the very real moments
which happen between the characters.
Thank you for considering being a part of this production.
Synopsis of “Blithe Spirit”:
Charles Condomine, a successful novelist, wishes to learn about the occult for a novel he is writing,
and he arranges for an eccentric medium, Madame Arcati, to hold a séance at his home with his
second wife, Ruth, and friends the Bradmans. At the séance, she inadvertently summons Charles'
first wife, Elvira, who has been dead for seven years.
Only Charles can see or hear Elvira. Ruth does not believe that she exists until a floating vase is
handed to her out of thin air. Elvira is louche and moody, in contrast to the more strait-laced Ruth.
The ghostly Elvira makes continued, and increasingly desperate, efforts to disrupt Charles' current
marriage. She finally sabotages his car in the hope of killing him so that he will join her in the spirit
world with an unexpected twist.
Madame Arcati is brought back to the house to exorcize the ghost of Elvira when the household
learns of another psychic presence in the house which may have been responsible for bringing back
Elvira.
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Set:
All action takes place in the living room of Charles Condomine’s house in Kent in the 1940’s.
Roles:
The roles are described in the Application form.
Script:
The Semi-Circle has been granted Performance Rights to stage this play on the dates and at the
location mentioned above. For Intellectual Property legal reasons we cannot provide copies of the
full script here. However, it is possible for you to preview part of the script at the following link:
http://www.samuelfrench.com/content/samples/102416/3_BlitheSpirit.pdf
Rehearsals:
Rehearsals will be organised in agreement with the Director and Stage Manager. They will take
place twice a week, starting in February 2017. The precise dates will be defined and your
attendance frequency will depend on your role. A calendar will be provided.
Important Notes:
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Actors accepting a role in this production must be members of The Semi-Circle Basel:
Individual membership
CHF 50
Family membership (all living at the same address)
CHF 75
Student membership (evidence of full-time education may be requested)
CHF 20
Accepting a part in the play means 100% commitment to all performance dates, and being
available for intensive rehearsals in the week beginning 28 May as well as for the technical and
dress rehearsals 4, 5, 6 and 7 June.
Please read the Terms & Conditions for Actor Participation under the “Members” tab on our
website http://www.semi-circle.ch/page-1760033.
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Audition Information (3 pages)