Difference between revisions of "Blithe Spirit"

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''Blithe Spirit'' by [[Noël Coward]]. A a comic play which takes its title from Shelley’s poem ''To a Skylark''. The action of the play centres on socialite Charles Condomine being haunted by the ghost of his first wife Elvira following a séance, and Elvira's continued (and increasingly desperate) efforts to disrupt Charles' current marriage. First produced in the West End in 1941, setting box-office records and becoming a perennial favourite across the world and in South Africa.  
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''[[Blithe Spirit]]'' is a play by [[Noël Coward]] (1899-1973) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No%C3%ABl_Coward].  
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==The original text==
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A comic play which takes its title from Shelley’s poem ''To a Skylark''. The action of the play centres on socialite Charles Condomine being haunted by the ghost of his first wife Elvira following a séance, and Elvira's continued (and increasingly desperate) efforts to disrupt Charles' current marriage. First produced in the West End in 1941, setting box-office records and becoming a perennial favourite across the world and in South Africa.
 +
 
 +
==Translations and adaptations==
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 +
 
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Translated into [[Afrikaans]] as '''''Die Vryerige Spook'''''  (lit. “The Amorous Ghost”) by [[Danie van den Heever]].
 +
 
 +
Freely adapted and translated into [[Afrikaans]] as '''''Die Vryerige Spook''''' by [[Aart de Villiers]] and [[Don Lamprecht]] in 1980.
 +
 
 +
Translated into [[Afrikaans]] as '''''Die Vryerige Spook''''' by [[William Harding]].
  
 
== Performance history in South Africa ==
 
== Performance history in South Africa ==
In 1944 produced in Johannesburg by the [[Gwen ffrangçon-Davies / Marda Vanne Company]] in collaboration with [[African Consolidated Theatres]] Ltd, also starring [[Margaret Inglis]] and [[Siegfried Mynhardt]] – a production attended by the author.   
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1944: produced in Johannesburg by the [[Gwen ffrangçon-Davies / Marda Vanne Company]] in collaboration with [[African Consolidated Theatres]] Ltd, also starring [[Margaret Inglis]] and [[Siegfried Mynhardt]] – a production attended by the author.   
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1944: At the [[Alhambra Theatre]], Cape Town, [[Rolf Lefebvre]], [[Gwen ffrangçon-Davies]] as Ruth, [[Margaret Inglis]] as Elvira, [[Marda Vanne]] as Madame Arcati, [[Ivy Collins]], [[Jessie Bryant]], [[Siegfried Mynhardt]] (Doctor Bradman). Setting by [[Basil South]].
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1951: [[Brian Brooke Company]], January.
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1952: ''Die Vryerige Spook'', the [[Afrikaans]] translation by [[Danie van den Heever|Van den Heever]] was produced by [[JAATS]], directed by [[Isobel McLaren]], starring [[Danie van den Heever]], [[Neil de Villiers]], [[Dora Vosloo]], [[Ester van Waart]], [[Marie de Flamingh]], [[Suzanne van den Heever]] and [[Zanne Cloete]].
  
1944 at the [[Alhambra Theatre]], Cape Town, [[Rolf Lefebvre]], [[Gwen ffrangçon-Davies]] as Ruth, [[Margaret Inglis]] as Elvira, [[Marda Vanne]] as Madame Arcati, [[Ivy Collins]], [[Jessie Bryant]], [[Siegfried Mynhardt]] (Doctor Bradman). Setting by [[Basil South]].
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1964: [[Taubie Kushlick]] presented the play at the [[Intimate Theatre]], directed by [[Peter Shaffer]].
  
In 1964 [[Taubie Kushlick]] presented the play at the [[Intimate Theatre]], directed by [[Peter Shaffer]].
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1976: Opened in the [[Nico Malan Theatre]] in Cape Town on 15 Otober, staged by [[CAPAB]] and directed by [[Peter Curtis]], with [[Mary Dreyer]] (Edith), [[Lois Butlin]] (Ruth), [[John Whiteley]] (Charles), [[Helen Bourne]] (Elvira), [[Paddy Canavan]] (Madame Arcati), [[Colin Duell]] (Dr Bradman) and [[Liz Szymczak|Elizabeth Szymczak]] (Mrs Bradman).
  
''Blithe Spirit'' by Noël Coward. Professor [[Rosalie van der Gucht]] directed this play for [[PACT]] in 1977.
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1977: Professor [[Rosalie van der Gucht]] directed this play for [[PACT]].
  
[[Lois Butlin]], [[John Whiteley]], [[Helen Bourne]], [[Paddy Canavan]], [[Colin Duell]] and [[Lyn Szymczak]] in ''Blithe Spirit'' in 1977, directed by [[Anthony Johnson]] for [[CAPAB]].
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1980: The [[Aart de Villiers|De Villiers]]/[[Don Lamprecht|Lamprecht]] Afrikaans adaptation ''Die Vryerige Spook'' was staged by [[KNAT]], directed by [[Aart de Villiers]], with [[Santie van Schalkwyk]] (Edith), [[Annatjie Dijkstra]] (Ruth Condomine), [[Johan Kock]] (Charles Condomine), [[Neil le Grange]] (Dr Bradman), [[Esde Steyn]] (Mev Bradman), [[Hettie Kritzinger]] (Madame Arcati) and [[Jeanne Fritz]] (Elvira).
  
Presented by [[Pieter Toerien]], directed by [[Robert Whitehead]] in 1989 in the [[Alhambra Theatre]] and the [[Theatre on the Bay]], starring [[Sandra Duncan]], [[Vanessa Cooke]], [[John Whiteley]], [[Paddy Canavan]].
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1984: ''Die Vryerige Spook'', the [[Afrikaans]] translation by [[Danie van den Heever|Van den Heever]] was staged by [[PACOFS]], directed by [[Desmond Hughes]], with [[Francesca Bantock]], [[Blaise Koch]] and others.
  
==Translations and adaptations==
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1989: Presented by [[Pieter Toerien]], directed by [[Robert Whitehead]] at the [[Alhambra Theatre]] (opening 16 July 1989) and the [[Theatre on the Bay]] (13 - 30 September 1989), starring [[Sandra Duncan]] (Elvira), [[Vanessa Cooke]] (Ruth), [[John Whiteley]] (Charles), [[Victoria Bawcombe]] (Edith), [[Chris Buchanan]] (Doctor Bradman, Johannesburg), [[John Dennison]] (Doctor Bradman, Cape Town), [[Charlotte Butler]] (Mrs Bradman, Johannesburg), [[Maureen Anstey]] (Mrs Bradman, Cape Town), [[Paddy Canavan]] (Madame Arcati).
Translated into Afrikaans as ''[[Die Vryerige Spook]]''  (lit. “The Amorous Ghost”) by [[Danie van den Heever]] and first produced in 1952 by [[JAATS]], directed by [[Isobel McLaren]], starring [[Danie van den Heever]], [[Neil de Villiers]], [[Dora Vosloo]], [[Ester van Waart]], [[Marie de Flamingh]], [[Suzanne van den Heever]] and [[Zanne Cloete]].  
 
  
[[PACOFS]] 1984, directed by [[Desmond Hughes]], with [[Francesca Bantock]], [[Blaise Koch]].
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1989: [[Jon Maytham]] directed the play at the [[Little Theatre]], Cape Town, from 18 May 1989, for a production of the [[University of Cape Town Drama Department]] starring [[Heather Schiff]], [[Anita Berk]], [[Nigel Maister]], [[Caroline Braham]], [[Steven Raymond]], [[Victoria Bartlett]], [[Emma-Jane Mezher]]. Designer [[John Caviggia]], lighting [[Pip Marshall]], stage manager [[Jennifer Woodburne]].
  
1998: ''Die Vryerige Spook'' as translated into Afrikaans by [[William Harding]] presented by the [[University of Stellenbosch Drama Department]], directed by [[Blaise Koch]]. The cast: [[Anton Luitingh]], [[Nikki Louw]], [[Nina Swart]], [[Mareli Pretorius|Mareli Hattingh]], [[Abduragman Adams]], [[Ilse Oppelt]], [[Lindie Stander]]. Decor designed by Leopold Senekal, lighting by Tania Williams.
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1998: ''Die Vryerige Spook'' the [[Afrikaans]] translation by [[William Harding|Harding]] presented by the [[University of Stellenbosch Drama Department]], directed by [[Blaise Koch]]. The cast: [[Anton Luitingh]], [[Nikki Louw]], [[Nina Swart]], [[Mareli Pretorius|Mareli Hattingh]], [[Abduragman Adams]], [[Ilse Oppelt]], [[Lindie Stander]]. Decor designed by [[Leopold Senekal]], lighting by [[Tania Williams]].
  
 
== Sources ==
 
== Sources ==
''South African Opinion'', 1(8):20; ''Trek'' 9(7):18, 1944.  
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blithe_Spirit_%28play%29
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''[[South African Opinion]]'', 1(8):20;  
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''[[Trek]]'' 9(7):18, 1944.  
  
 
Photograph - NELM Manuscripts - [Collection: FLETCHER, Jill]: 2005. 75. 19. 50.
 
Photograph - NELM Manuscripts - [Collection: FLETCHER, Jill]: 2005. 75. 19. 50.
  
''Helikon'', 1(6):40.
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''[[Helikon]]'', 1(6):40.
  
PACOFS Drama 25 Years, 1963-1988
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''[[Cape Argus|The Argus Tonight]]'' 18 October 1976.
  
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[[CAPAB]] theatre programme, 1976 .
  
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[[KNAT]] theatre programme, 1980.
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''PACOFS Drama 25 Years'', 1963-1988.
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''Blithe Spirit'' theatre programme (UCT), 1989.
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[[Petru Wessels|Petru]] & [[Carel Trichardt]] theatre programme collection.
  
 
Go to [[South African Theatre/Bibliography|ESAT Bibliography]]
 
Go to [[South African Theatre/Bibliography|ESAT Bibliography]]
  
 
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Revision as of 09:21, 24 June 2021

Blithe Spirit is a play by Noël Coward (1899-1973) [1].

The original text

A comic play which takes its title from Shelley’s poem To a Skylark. The action of the play centres on socialite Charles Condomine being haunted by the ghost of his first wife Elvira following a séance, and Elvira's continued (and increasingly desperate) efforts to disrupt Charles' current marriage. First produced in the West End in 1941, setting box-office records and becoming a perennial favourite across the world and in South Africa.

Translations and adaptations

Translated into Afrikaans as Die Vryerige Spook (lit. “The Amorous Ghost”) by Danie van den Heever.

Freely adapted and translated into Afrikaans as Die Vryerige Spook by Aart de Villiers and Don Lamprecht in 1980.

Translated into Afrikaans as Die Vryerige Spook by William Harding.

Performance history in South Africa

1944: produced in Johannesburg by the Gwen ffrangçon-Davies / Marda Vanne Company in collaboration with African Consolidated Theatres Ltd, also starring Margaret Inglis and Siegfried Mynhardt – a production attended by the author.

1944: At the Alhambra Theatre, Cape Town, Rolf Lefebvre, Gwen ffrangçon-Davies as Ruth, Margaret Inglis as Elvira, Marda Vanne as Madame Arcati, Ivy Collins, Jessie Bryant, Siegfried Mynhardt (Doctor Bradman). Setting by Basil South.

1951: Brian Brooke Company, January.

1952: Die Vryerige Spook, the Afrikaans translation by Van den Heever was produced by JAATS, directed by Isobel McLaren, starring Danie van den Heever, Neil de Villiers, Dora Vosloo, Ester van Waart, Marie de Flamingh, Suzanne van den Heever and Zanne Cloete.

1964: Taubie Kushlick presented the play at the Intimate Theatre, directed by Peter Shaffer.

1976: Opened in the Nico Malan Theatre in Cape Town on 15 Otober, staged by CAPAB and directed by Peter Curtis, with Mary Dreyer (Edith), Lois Butlin (Ruth), John Whiteley (Charles), Helen Bourne (Elvira), Paddy Canavan (Madame Arcati), Colin Duell (Dr Bradman) and Elizabeth Szymczak (Mrs Bradman).

1977: Professor Rosalie van der Gucht directed this play for PACT.

1980: The De Villiers/Lamprecht Afrikaans adaptation Die Vryerige Spook was staged by KNAT, directed by Aart de Villiers, with Santie van Schalkwyk (Edith), Annatjie Dijkstra (Ruth Condomine), Johan Kock (Charles Condomine), Neil le Grange (Dr Bradman), Esde Steyn (Mev Bradman), Hettie Kritzinger (Madame Arcati) and Jeanne Fritz (Elvira).

1984: Die Vryerige Spook, the Afrikaans translation by Van den Heever was staged by PACOFS, directed by Desmond Hughes, with Francesca Bantock, Blaise Koch and others.

1989: Presented by Pieter Toerien, directed by Robert Whitehead at the Alhambra Theatre (opening 16 July 1989) and the Theatre on the Bay (13 - 30 September 1989), starring Sandra Duncan (Elvira), Vanessa Cooke (Ruth), John Whiteley (Charles), Victoria Bawcombe (Edith), Chris Buchanan (Doctor Bradman, Johannesburg), John Dennison (Doctor Bradman, Cape Town), Charlotte Butler (Mrs Bradman, Johannesburg), Maureen Anstey (Mrs Bradman, Cape Town), Paddy Canavan (Madame Arcati).

1989: Jon Maytham directed the play at the Little Theatre, Cape Town, from 18 May 1989, for a production of the University of Cape Town Drama Department starring Heather Schiff, Anita Berk, Nigel Maister, Caroline Braham, Steven Raymond, Victoria Bartlett, Emma-Jane Mezher. Designer John Caviggia, lighting Pip Marshall, stage manager Jennifer Woodburne.

1998: Die Vryerige Spook the Afrikaans translation by Harding presented by the University of Stellenbosch Drama Department, directed by Blaise Koch. The cast: Anton Luitingh, Nikki Louw, Nina Swart, Mareli Hattingh, Abduragman Adams, Ilse Oppelt, Lindie Stander. Decor designed by Leopold Senekal, lighting by Tania Williams.

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blithe_Spirit_%28play%29

South African Opinion, 1(8):20;

Trek 9(7):18, 1944.

Photograph - NELM Manuscripts - [Collection: FLETCHER, Jill]: 2005. 75. 19. 50.

Helikon, 1(6):40.

The Argus Tonight 18 October 1976.

CAPAB theatre programme, 1976 .

KNAT theatre programme, 1980.

PACOFS Drama 25 Years, 1963-1988.

Blithe Spirit theatre programme (UCT), 1989.

Petru & Carel Trichardt theatre programme collection.

Go to ESAT Bibliography

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