Author(s): Coward, Noël
Label: Naxos AudioBooks
Genre: Plays - Others
Period: 20th Century
Catalogue No: NA226312
Barcode: 9789626342633
Release Date: 06/2002

COWARD, N.: Blithe Spirit (Unabridged)

When novelist Charles Condomine invites a medium into his house in order to learn about the occult for his new book, the last thing he or his second wife dreams is that the séance will bring back his first wife, Elvira, who wants Charles all to herself! Things are further complicated by the fact that only Charles can see her, which results in some hilarious exchanges and misunderstandings. Elvira’s plots to get him to ‘the other side’ do not go to plan however, and instead of Charles dying in her contrived ‘accident’, his new wife does! Many consider this to be one of Coward’s best and most unusual farces.

Tracklist

Disc 1
Coward, Noël - Author
Francis, Abigail (Reader)
Lumley, Joanna (Reader)
Markham, Kika (Reader)
Morley, Sheridan (Reader)
Redgrave, Corin (Reader)
Ruby, Thelma (Reader)
Sara, Cathy (Reader)
Timson, David (Reader)
1Act 1 Scene 101:45
Francis, Abigail (Reader)
Lumley, Joanna (Reader)
Markham, Kika (Reader)
Morley, Sheridan (Reader)
Redgrave, Corin (Reader)
Ruby, Thelma (Reader)
Sara, Cathy (Reader)
Timson, David (Reader)
2RUTH: "That's right Edith."00:56
Markham, Kika (Reader)
3EDITH: "Your cigarette case, sir"01:43
Sara, Cathy (Reader)
4CHARLES: "well to begin with..."04:00
Redgrave, Corin (Reader)
5CHARLES: "That's probably the Bradmans."00:29
Redgrave, Corin (Reader)
6EDITH: "Dr and Mrs Bradman."03:43
Sara, Cathy (Reader)
7MADAME ARCATI: "I've leant my bike..."02:56
Ruby, Thelma (Reader)
8RUTH: "I expect it's dreadfully ignorant of me not to know..."02:33
Markham, Kika (Reader)
9Act 1 Scene 202:55
Francis, Abigail (Reader)
Lumley, Joanna (Reader)
Markham, Kika (Reader)
Morley, Sheridan (Reader)
Redgrave, Corin (Reader)
Ruby, Thelma (Reader)
Sara, Cathy (Reader)
Timson, David (Reader)
10RUTH: "How very wise"03:34
Markham, Kika (Reader)
11MADAME ARCATI: "Little Tommy Tucker..."00:59
Ruby, Thelma (Reader)
12MADAME ARCATI: "Will you all sit round the table..."03:14
Ruby, Thelma (Reader)
13MADAME ARCATI: "Is there anyone there?..."03:07
Ruby, Thelma (Reader)
14MADAME ARCATI: "Little Tommy Tucker"01:23
Ruby, Thelma (Reader)
15CHARLES: "I can't bear this for another minute."03:56
Redgrave, Corin (Reader)
16RUTH: "Oh dear! Oh dear!"00:52
Markham, Kika (Reader)
17RUTH: "I suddenly felt a draught..."01:21
Markham, Kika (Reader)
18RUTH: "Well darling?"03:43
Markham, Kika (Reader)
19ELVIRA: "That was one of the most enjoyable..."04:10
Lumley, Joanna (Reader)
20Act 2 Scene 105:09
Francis, Abigail (Reader)
Lumley, Joanna (Reader)
Markham, Kika (Reader)
Morley, Sheridan (Reader)
Redgrave, Corin (Reader)
Ruby, Thelma (Reader)
Sara, Cathy (Reader)
Timson, David (Reader)
21CHARLES: "Once and for all Ruth..."01:35
Redgrave, Corin (Reader)
22EDITH: "Can I clear please'm?"02:49
Sara, Cathy (Reader)
23ELVIRA: "You've absolutely ruined that border by the sundial."03:39
Lumley, Joanna (Reader)
24CHARLES: "Ruth, you see that bowl of flowers on the piano?"02:11
Redgrave, Corin (Reader)
25Act 2 Scene 202:54
Francis, Abigail (Reader)
Lumley, Joanna (Reader)
Markham, Kika (Reader)
Morley, Sheridan (Reader)
Redgrave, Corin (Reader)
Ruby, Thelma (Reader)
Sara, Cathy (Reader)
Timson, David (Reader)
26MADAME ARCATI: "Capital, Capital..."07:38
Ruby, Thelma (Reader)
27CHARLES: "What on earth was Madame Arcati doing here?"04:40
Redgrave, Corin (Reader)
28CHARLES: "Ruth..."02:23
Redgrave, Corin (Reader)
Disc 2
1Act 2 Scene 301:40
Francis, Abigail (Reader)
Lumley, Joanna (Reader)
Markham, Kika (Reader)
Morley, Sheridan (Reader)
Redgrave, Corin (Reader)
Ruby, Thelma (Reader)
Sara, Cathy (Reader)
Timson, David (Reader)
2DR BRADMAN: "Nothing to worry about Mrs Condomine..."01:49
Timson, David (Reader)
3DR BRADMAN: "Ah Charles, how does it feel?"01:08
Timson, David (Reader)
4RUTH: "You really are infuriating, Elvira."03:39
Markham, Kika (Reader)
5CHARLES: "Look out!"00:57
Redgrave, Corin (Reader)
6CHARLES: "There now."03:44
Redgrave, Corin (Reader)
7Act 3 Scene 104:52
Francis, Abigail (Reader)
Lumley, Joanna (Reader)
Markham, Kika (Reader)
Morley, Sheridan (Reader)
Redgrave, Corin (Reader)
Ruby, Thelma (Reader)
Sara, Cathy (Reader)
Timson, David (Reader)
8ELVIRA: "Charles!"02:02
Lumley, Joanna (Reader)
9ELVIRA: "How good is she really?"05:28
Lumley, Joanna (Reader)
10CHARLES: "Madame Arcati, would you please come in now?"03:37
Redgrave, Corin (Reader)
11MADAME ARCATI: "Ghostly spectre..."03:25
Ruby, Thelma (Reader)
12Act 3 Scene 203:44
Francis, Abigail (Reader)
Lumley, Joanna (Reader)
Markham, Kika (Reader)
Morley, Sheridan (Reader)
Redgrave, Corin (Reader)
Ruby, Thelma (Reader)
Sara, Cathy (Reader)
Timson, David (Reader)
13CHARLES: "Have you any suggestions?"05:28
Redgrave, Corin (Reader)
14RUTH: " Do concentrate, Elvira, and keep still."02:23
Markham, Kika (Reader)
15RUTH: "I believe it's going to work,..."03:40
Markham, Kika (Reader)
16CHARLES: "Ruth, Elvira, are you there?"03:35
Redgrave, Corin (Reader)

Total Playing Time: 02:11:28