Noël Coward's comedy classic, 'Blithe Spirit' was the choice of Holsworthy Amateur Theatrical Society for their spring production, which runs until this Saturday, May 30, writes Christine Williams.

Directed by Eve Earles, the play is full of witty dialogue, and the fast moving plot with several twists keeps you guessing as to how it will all end.

Set in early 1940s England the action unfolds in the living room of Charles Condomine and his second wife, Ruth, whom he married after his first wife died. Charles is a writer and in order to conduct research for a novel he invites a medium, Madame Arcati, to his home for a séance.

At first he and Ruth and their friends, Dr and Mrs Bradman, hardly take things seriously, but the unintended result is that the eccentric medium manages to conjure up the spirit of Charles's first wife, Elvira, who is all too happy to move back into her earthly home and win back her former status. Only Charles can see her, a circumstance that leads to increasing marital tension between him and Ruth.

Alan Eyles gives an excellent performance in the key role of Charles as he passes through a succession of emotions from a contented, level headed man, an alarmed participant in spiritualism, to a bewildered husband who, nagged by two wives, believes himself to be mad. His confused efforts to maintain simultaneous dialogues with both his current wife and his 'unseen' returning wife provide much of the comedy.

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.