Stage Review - Blithe Spirit (Heart Repertory Theatre)

Stage Review - Blithe Spirit
Presented By: Heart Repertory Theatre - Woodinville, WA
Show Run: March 20 - April 04, 2026
Date Reviewed: Friday, March 27, 2026
Run Time: 2 Hours, 45 Minutes (including a 15-minute intermission)
Reviewed by: Doug Knoop

Playwright Noel Coward described his 1941 comedy as “an improbable farce”. The show has become a community theater staple over the decades, and Woodinville’s Heart Repertory Theatre current production proves why the show continues to be popular.

For the uninitiated, here is Coward’s “improbable” plot. Author Charles Condomine is searching for ideas for his next novel. He and his wife Ruth invite the local medium/clairvoyant Madame Arcati over for a seance, hoping it might spark something, and oh boy does it. She conjures up the mischievous spirit of his deceased first wife Elvira.

To use a phrase, “the hijinks commence,” and the rest of the show is mostly a battle of wits between Charles and Elvira. To complicate matters, only Charles can see his late wife, and Ruth thinks he’s more than a bit bonkers.

The performances are all good, with Tiffany Christou’s Ruth leading the way with proper British reserve. It’s a great contrast to Margaret Yorkgitis’ restless Elvira who is constantly in motion. I could have done with a little more reserve in Nathan Cardenas’ Charles. His take on the character felt a little too modern. Rowena Hammill’s Madame Arcati is an over the top whirlwind of sparkles and movement that delighted the audience the night I was there.

David Dugdale and Nicola Amos do good work in the supporting roles of the Bradmans, the friends who are invited to the seance. Also, keep an eye on Ayse Aylin Avcular’s Edith. She plays a housemaid, but turns out to be just a bit more than that as the story reveals its final twists.

Hjalmer Anderson’s direction keeps the three hour show moving at a brisk pace, but could maybe lose some of its modern flourishes and concentrate more on Coward’s  sharp wit.

The Heart Repertory Theatre production of Blithe Spirit runs on stage at the Sammamish Valley Grange in Woodinville through April 4. For more information, including ticket availability and sales, visit https://heartrep.org/.

Photo credit: Sandro Menzel Photography