AFTER the storming success of their adaptation of Educating Rita, Portland’s own theatre company is now tackling another stage classic.

Blithe Spirit is a sophisticated comedy by Noel Coward. The plot revolves around Charles, an author who plans a séance as research for his new book.

He invites the eccentric medium Madame Arcarti into his English country home intending to expose her as a fraud. To witness this event, Charles and his second wife, Ruth, invite the sceptical Dr Bradman and his anxious-to-believe wife, Violet.

In the course of the seance, Madame Arcarti mistakenly summons Charles’s first wife Elvira back from the beyond, and things get thoroughly out of hand.

The Royal Manor Theatre on Portland first performed Blithe Spirit in 1982 with Beryl Clafton as Madame Arcati. This time, Beryl is back as the play’s director and Elfrida Strom has taken the role of the medium.

Other players include Mark Sampson-Vincent as Charles, Rebecca Green as his wife Ruth, Jo Cheverton as the spectral Elvira and Stanway Williams and Margaret Frost as the doctor and his wife.

She said: “I loved the role of Madame Arcarti. You can be really eccentric, get away with it and really go over the top.

“Now as director, I am having to be careful that I don’t force my views of the role on to Elfrida because she is doing it her way and making the role her own.”

Blithe Spirit runs at the Royal Manor Theatre, Fortuneswell, Portland from Monday to Saturday, May 17 to 22 with performances at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £8 plus concessions and will be available from Monday, May 10 from RT Cards in Easton on Portland, or Danny’s in Fortuneswell Portland. Advance reservations may also be made via the box office on 01305 860792 or on-line at rmtcportland.co.uk.

As an extra incentive, the community-minded theatre is also offering a free park and ride service to drivers who drop their passengers at the theatre.

To use this service, please call the box office or go on-line. At the time of booking, say that you would like to use the park and ride system and on the night, drop off your passengers at the theatre and park near Portland Castle.

You will be picked from the Portland Castle bus stop by one of Nicky’s Taxis at 7.15pm sharp and returned there after the show, for free.

Please note that only bookings made on-line or via the box office may use this service.