Noel Coward’s play, written in five days during World War 2 at the height of the Blitz in 1941, ran for four-and-a-half years. The situation of a husband, haunted firstly by one dead wife and then by two dead wives is excellent; but he takes too long to set it up. The play is witty in feeling, yet singularly short in actual witty lines; it would be better if it were ruthlessly cut. The actors in Thea Sharrock’s misguided revival haven’t got the period style, wit, sophistication and glamour. Robert Bathurst is dull as the husband. Ruthie Henshall, who doesn’t look ethereal, is quite wrong. Only Hermione Norris, playing the second wife, has some idea how Coward should be played.
Madame Arcati, the eccentric medium, was created by Margaret Rutherford .Coward wrote the part especially for her and the performance is preserved in Anthony Asquith’s film version. it comes as a surprise to learn that she had initially turned down the role; she was a believer in spiritualism and did not wish to mock mediums. It’s a hard act to follow. Alison Steadman is, regrettably, wildly over the top and does anything and everything for a laugh. As for the performance by the maid, it should never have been allowed.