Chasing the spirit of Coward (From Ealing Times)

Chasing the spirit of Coward

12:29pm Friday 28th March 2008 in Theatre By Francine Wolfisz

THREE Bucks actors are getting into high spirits for their latest stage production, which opens next week.

Amersham resident Simon Dresser, who has been a member of the Rickmansworth Players for 20 years, Amanda Aldridge, who lives in Chesham and teaches drama at Chesham High School, and Louise Green, who lives in Prestwood, have all secured lead roles in The Rickmansworth Players' version of Blithe Spirit.

Written by Noel Coward in 1941, the play revolves around socialite Charles Condomine (played by Simon Dresser), who invites the reputed medium Madame Arcati (Louise Green) to demonstrate her powers at his home.

Joining in the séance are Charles' wife Ruth (Helen Wood) and neighbours Dr and Mrs Bradman (Iain Roden and Hilary Rhodes).

But what is meant to be a light-hearted evening for the sceptics takes a turn for something more serious when Madame Arcati calls up the spirit of Charles' first wife, Elvira (played by Amanda Aldridge).

As Charles soon begins to realise, only he can see and hear Elvira, who seems intent on wrecking his new marriage.

"It’s a classic play with plenty of funny, wry humour."

Actress Louise Green

Louise, who has lived in Buckinghamshire for more than 30 years, says she is thrilled to play the eccentric Madame Arcati, as it is "a peach of a part".

She adds: "It's a classic play with plenty of funny, wry humour. The story is also very intriguing, if only because you watch all these characters get into a mess and then trying desperately to get out of it again."

Blithe Spirit is Louise's first production with The Rickmansworth Players, but she is no stranger to treading the boards.

In recent years, Louise has appeared in Pack Of Lies with the Ubiquitous Touring Theatre Company and The Importance of Being Earnest with The Marlow Players.

She has also been a member of the Prestwood Theatre Group since 1977.

For the past 18 years, Louise has worked as a special needs teacher at Dr Challoner's Grammar School, Chesham High School, Wycombe Abbey and Beaconsfield High School.

But away from her working life, Louise says she likes nothing better than the world of theatre.

She adds: "I like being able to portray another person's emotions and becoming someone else entirely. I suppose in some ways it's like grown-up make believe."

The long-established Rickmansworth Players have been rehearsing twice a week since January and Louise says she cannot wait until the opening night.

"There are always nerves before the first night," she explains. "But when you get up on stage it more than makes up for it.

"I'm particularly looking forward to Blithe Spirit. It's a great play to perform and the humour means the audience can only come away feeling lifted."

The Rickmansworth Players present Blithe Spirit from Tuesday, April 1 to Saturday, April 5, 7.30pm, at the Performing Arts Centre, Rickmansworth School, Scotts Hill. Tickets: 0844 745 1944