Players in high spirits for opener: “Blithe Spirit” Oldham Lyceum

Oldham’s Lyceum Players kicked off their new season with this Noel Coward comedy — one of five plays picked from Lyceum productions dating back over its 80-season history, chosen for being particularly successful.

Blithe Spirit centres on socialite Charles Condomine, wonderfully played by Ean Burgon, who crumbles from the self-assured master of the house to a shivering wreck when his late ex-wife materialises to his eyes from the spirit world. He finds that he quite enjoys the attentions of his two wives, and tentatively suggests they might all get along if they tried hard enough.

That was hardly likely to happen, given the jealous rantings of his second wife Ruth, played by Lois Kelly and the ghostly Elvira (Ruth Blaszczok) who realises she still has a hold on the man she loved and conjures up increasingly desperate efforts to disrupt his latest marriage.

The four main characters of the seven-strong cast all put on a splendid performance, and were well supported by those in the minor roles — Jon Comyn-Platt as Dr Bradman, Tricia Pemberton as his wife, and Grace Weetman as Edith the maid.

Edith was delightful as the eager-to-please yet nervous maid, while Sue Widdall was tremendous as the eccentric Madame Arcati, responsible for the mayhem which unfolded.

She was perfectly cast in the role, and given permission by the script to go wonderfully over-the-top, she does so with style and excellent comic timing.

Her indignation at discovering she had only been invited to host a seance for Charles to “pick up some tips” for his latest novel, and her blustering confidence in her abilities, which proved to be completely out of control, were nothing short of wonderful.

I can only say I am looking forward to seeing the results of what the players believe to be the best of the best during the rest of the season.