Jennifer Saunders in West End transfer & UK tour of Blithe Spirit.

Noël Coward’s classic comedy Blithe Spirit, starring Jennifer Saunders, is returning next year for a West End season and UK Tour – as I predicted.

The announcement comes after a sell-out season earlier this year at Theatre Royal Bath where I ended my four star review with: “If I could look into Madam Arcati’s crystal ball I think I would see a West End transfer on the cards for Richard Eyre’s playful production.” (review here).

The new tour opens at Theatre Royal Brighton in January before arriving in the West End at the Duke of York’s Theatre in March.

Jennifer Saunders, one of the UK’s most popular comic actors, will revive her role as the preposterous clairvoyant Madame Arcati.

She is joined by original cast members Geoffrey Streatfeild who will star as Charles, Lisa Dillon as Ruth Condomine, Emma Naomi as Elvira, Simon Coates as Dr Bradman, Lucy Robinson as Mrs Bradman, and Rose Wardlaw as Edith.

The production brings together a distinguished and multi-award-winning creative team, directed by former National Theatre director Sir Richard Eyre. 

Written in 1941, Coward’s inventive, witty and meticulously engineered comedy proved light relief and a popular distraction at the height of World War II when it was first staged.

The show had a record-breaking run in the West End and on Broadway and remains one of the playwright’s most popular works.

Blithe Spirit is presented by Theatre Royal Bath Productions, Lee Dean and Jonathan Church Productions.

TOUR DATES

January 22 -25, Theatre Royal Brighton

January 27 – February 1, Malvern Theatre

February 4 – 8, Theatre Royal Bath

February  10 – 15, Cambridge Arts Theatre

February 17 – 22, Richmond Theatre

February 24 – 29, Norwich Theatre Royal

March 5 – April 11, Duke of York’s Theatre, West End.