Now many of us might have endure studying a load of dated plays about the social classes with actors with cut glass accents spouting guff about trouble with the staff in the East wing of the house but Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit was more of a comedy drama than anything else and it has just started filming.
Best-selling crime novelist Charles (Dan Stevens) is struggling with catastrophic writer’s block and a stressful deadline for his first screenplay. His picture-perfect second wife Ruth (Isla Fisher) is doing her best to keep him focussed in the hope of fulfilling her dream of heading to Hollywood. Charles’ desperate search for inspiration leads him to invite Madame Arcati (Judi Dench), a medium recently exposed as a fraud, to perform a séance in their home. They all get more than they bargained for when Arcati accidentally summons the spirit of his deceased first wife: the fiery and jealous Elvira (Leslie Mann) who embarks on a mission to kill Charles so she can spend eternity with him which leads to an increasingly comical and deadly love triangle.
Previously filmed with Rex Harrison this version has an all-star cast that also includes Julian Rhind-Tut, Emilia Fox, Dave Johns (I, Daniel Blake), James Fleet and Judi Dench (Victoria and Abdul)). Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit is a riotous reimagining of the classic comedy, about love that just won’t die. Directed by Edward Hall its been adapted and written for the screen Nick Moorcroft, Meg Leonard & Piers Ashworth.
Director Edward Hall comments, “I am delighted to be starting principal photography on this new adaptation of BLITHE SPIRIT. The cast and team that have gathered together to realise this colourful and original comedy are testament to the enduring appeal of Noel Coward’s unique story. Elegant, escapist and anarchic, I hope it will lift cinemagoers spirits and leave the troubles of the world behind for a moment as we enjoy afterlife turbulence of a very different kind…”
