(Above: Cast members in The Very Little Theatre’s production of Noel Coward’s classic comedy Blithe Spirit include, left to right, Janna Slack, Daniel Squire, Aimee Hamilton, and Kathy LaMontagne)

By Anne-Allegra Bennett

Noël Coward’s Blithe Spirit is sure to cause quite a commotion at the Very Little Theatre as the medium, Madame Arcati, conducts a séance at the home of the novelist Charles Condomine.

In search of material for his next book, Condomine’s plan of action backfires after the séance. Humorous misunderstandings, more and more séance — and hilariously unexpected outcomes proceed as the characters in this classic comedy find themselves thrust into the middle of the mayhem.

Set in England in 1941, it truly is as described by its full title – “an improbable farce in three acts.” It’s a spectacular work of comedy that really brings out Coward’s style.

Blithe Spirit was first performed at the Manchester Opera House on June 16, 1941, and had its premiere at the Piccadilly Theatre on the West End on July 2, 1941. The cast members were Fay Compton (Ruth), Cecil Parker (Charles), Martin Lewis (Dr. Bradman), Moya Nugent (Mrs. Bradman), Margaret Rutherford (Madame Arcati), Kay Hammond (Elvira), and Ruth Reeves (Edith).

When the play transferred to the St. James Theatre in 1942, Noël Coward took over the role of Charles for part of its run. The show’s Broadway premiere was on November 5, 1941, at the Morosco Theatre. Angela Lansbury took on the role of Madame Arcati in the Broadway revival in 2009, as well as on the West End in 2014 (at the age of 89), and on the North American tour from December 2014 to March 2015.

(I had the good fortune to see the Broadway production, and Lansbury — one of my all-time favorite actresses — showered the role with great energy and flair to bring out the character’s quirks, while simultaneously conveying that Madame Arcati firmly believed in the reality of what was happening.)

In addition to being a comedic play, Blithe Spirit was made as a film in 1945, as a musical titled High Spirits in 1964, and it also had multiple television and radio adaptations.

The Very Little Theatre’s production of Blithe Spirit is directed by Karen Scheeland and features actors Daniel Squire (Charles), Janna Slack (Ruth), Aimee Hamilton (Elvira), Kali Kardas (Edith), Bill Siedler (Dr. Bradman), Lisa Roth (Mrs. Bradman), and Kathy LaMontagne (Madame Arcati).

Blithe Spirit

When: Evening shows at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 25-26 and 31, and Feb. 1-2 and 7-9; with 2 p.m. Sunday matinées on Jan. 27 and Feb. 3; an opening night gala follows the performance on Jan. 25

Where: The Very Little Theatre, 2350 Hilyard St., Eugene

Tickets: $21 adults, $17 for senior citizens and students and all Thursday performances; available at the box office, 541-344-7751, or online at The VLT.com