Blithe Spirit
An Improbable Farce
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Prime members: New to Audible?Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Blithe Spirit
Buy for $9.35
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Corin Redgrave
-
Kika Markham
-
full cast
-
By:
-
Noel Coward
About this listen
When novelist Charles Condomine invites a medium into his house in order to learn about the occult for his new book, the last thing he or his second wife dream is that the seance will bring back his first wife, Elvira, who wants Charles all to herself! This is considered to be one of Coward's best and most unusual farces.
Download the accompanying reference guide.©2002 NAXOS AudioBooks Ltd. (P)2002 NAXOS AudioBooks Ltd.Listeners also enjoyed...
-
The Noel Coward BBC Radio Drama Collection
- Seven BBC Radio Full-cast Productions
- By: Noel Coward
- Narrated by: Alex Jennings, Bill Nighy, Celia Imrie, and others
- Length: 11 hrs and 55 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 55
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 45
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 44
Renowned for his wit, style and sophistication, Noël Coward was one of the greatest playwrights of the 20th century. His plays, set in the glittering world of high society in which he lived, are much admired and have remained in the popular theatre repertoire to this day. This collection brings together the very best radio adaptation
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Some good plays...
- By Charisma on 08-11-18
By: Noel Coward
-
Hay Fever (Classic Radio Theatre)
- By: Noel Coward
- Narrated by: Peggy Ashcroft, Tony Britton
- Length: 1 hr and 26 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 9
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 9
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 9
Peggy Ashcroft and Tony Britton star in this 1971 BBC Radio production of Noël Coward’s classic comedy about a disastrous weekend house party. Judith Bliss is a famous actress who, after a string of successful roles, has retired to her country retreat. Missing the adulation of her public, she has has invited a fan over for a weekend of uninterrupted adoration - unaware that the rest of her family has company arriving too.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
A Enjoyable comedy!
- By Kimberly on 11-15-17
By: Noel Coward
-
The Importance of Being Earnest (Dramatized)
- By: Oscar Wilde
- Narrated by: James Marsters, Charles Busch, Emily Bergl, and others
- Length: 1 hr and 58 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,880
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,618
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,615
This final play from the pen of Oscar Wilde is a stylish send-up of Victorian courtship and manners, complete with assumed names, mistaken lovers, and a lost handbag. Jack and Algernon are best friends, both wooing ladies who think their names are Ernest, "that name which inspires absolute confidence". Wilde's effervescent wit, scathing social satire, and high farce make this one of the most cherished plays in the English language.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Delightfully silly
- By Tad Davis on 09-12-11
By: Oscar Wilde
-
Private Lives
- An Intimate Comedy
- By: Noel Coward
- Narrated by: Rosalind Ayres, Marnie Mosiman, Ian Ogilvy, and others
- Length: 1 hr and 12 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 40
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 28
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 27
The lights of a yacht on the French Riviera are reflected in the water and in the eyes of four hilariously mismatched lovers. Perhaps Coward's greatest comedy, Private Lives shimmers with wit, romance, desire, and bittersweet truth.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Classic Coward Comedy
- By Benjamin on 03-03-07
By: Noel Coward
-
Present Laughter
- By: Noel Coward
- Narrated by: Ian Ogilvy, Christina Pickles, Carolyn Seymour, and others
- Length: 1 hr and 22 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 38
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 33
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 33
A galaxy of friends, lovers, relatives and theatre acolytes sparkles around stage star Garry Essendine like bubbles in fine champagne. While Garry struggles to plan his upcoming trip to Africa, his elegant London flat is invaded by a love-struck ingenue, an adulterous producer, and a married seductress - not to mention Garry's estranged wife, Liz, and the memorable Roland Maule, an aspiring playwright who is quite, quite mad.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
As bubbly as champagne
- By Katherine on 08-02-12
By: Noel Coward
-
My Name Is Barbra
- By: Barbra Streisand
- Narrated by: Barbra Streisand
- Length: 48 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 3,574
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 3,170
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 3,170
Barbra Streisand is by any account a living legend, a woman who in a career spanning six decades has excelled in every area of entertainment. She is among the handful of EGOT winners (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony) and has one of the greatest and most recognizable voices in the history of popular music. She has been nominated for a Grammy 46 times, and with Yentl she became the first woman to write, produce, direct, and star in a major motion picture. In My Name Is Barbra, she tells her own story about her life and extraordinary career.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
BARBRA IS LIKE BUTTAH!
- By JoeGato57 on 11-08-23
By: Barbra Streisand
-
The Noel Coward BBC Radio Drama Collection
- Seven BBC Radio Full-cast Productions
- By: Noel Coward
- Narrated by: Alex Jennings, Bill Nighy, Celia Imrie, and others
- Length: 11 hrs and 55 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 55
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 45
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 44
Renowned for his wit, style and sophistication, Noël Coward was one of the greatest playwrights of the 20th century. His plays, set in the glittering world of high society in which he lived, are much admired and have remained in the popular theatre repertoire to this day. This collection brings together the very best radio adaptation
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Some good plays...
- By Charisma on 08-11-18
By: Noel Coward
-
Hay Fever (Classic Radio Theatre)
- By: Noel Coward
- Narrated by: Peggy Ashcroft, Tony Britton
- Length: 1 hr and 26 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 9
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 9
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 9
Peggy Ashcroft and Tony Britton star in this 1971 BBC Radio production of Noël Coward’s classic comedy about a disastrous weekend house party. Judith Bliss is a famous actress who, after a string of successful roles, has retired to her country retreat. Missing the adulation of her public, she has has invited a fan over for a weekend of uninterrupted adoration - unaware that the rest of her family has company arriving too.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
A Enjoyable comedy!
- By Kimberly on 11-15-17
By: Noel Coward
-
The Importance of Being Earnest (Dramatized)
- By: Oscar Wilde
- Narrated by: James Marsters, Charles Busch, Emily Bergl, and others
- Length: 1 hr and 58 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,880
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,618
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,615
This final play from the pen of Oscar Wilde is a stylish send-up of Victorian courtship and manners, complete with assumed names, mistaken lovers, and a lost handbag. Jack and Algernon are best friends, both wooing ladies who think their names are Ernest, "that name which inspires absolute confidence". Wilde's effervescent wit, scathing social satire, and high farce make this one of the most cherished plays in the English language.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Delightfully silly
- By Tad Davis on 09-12-11
By: Oscar Wilde
-
Private Lives
- An Intimate Comedy
- By: Noel Coward
- Narrated by: Rosalind Ayres, Marnie Mosiman, Ian Ogilvy, and others
- Length: 1 hr and 12 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 40
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 28
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 27
The lights of a yacht on the French Riviera are reflected in the water and in the eyes of four hilariously mismatched lovers. Perhaps Coward's greatest comedy, Private Lives shimmers with wit, romance, desire, and bittersweet truth.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Classic Coward Comedy
- By Benjamin on 03-03-07
By: Noel Coward
-
Present Laughter
- By: Noel Coward
- Narrated by: Ian Ogilvy, Christina Pickles, Carolyn Seymour, and others
- Length: 1 hr and 22 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 38
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 33
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 33
A galaxy of friends, lovers, relatives and theatre acolytes sparkles around stage star Garry Essendine like bubbles in fine champagne. While Garry struggles to plan his upcoming trip to Africa, his elegant London flat is invaded by a love-struck ingenue, an adulterous producer, and a married seductress - not to mention Garry's estranged wife, Liz, and the memorable Roland Maule, an aspiring playwright who is quite, quite mad.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
As bubbly as champagne
- By Katherine on 08-02-12
By: Noel Coward
-
My Name Is Barbra
- By: Barbra Streisand
- Narrated by: Barbra Streisand
- Length: 48 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 3,574
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 3,170
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 3,170
Barbra Streisand is by any account a living legend, a woman who in a career spanning six decades has excelled in every area of entertainment. She is among the handful of EGOT winners (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony) and has one of the greatest and most recognizable voices in the history of popular music. She has been nominated for a Grammy 46 times, and with Yentl she became the first woman to write, produce, direct, and star in a major motion picture. In My Name Is Barbra, she tells her own story about her life and extraordinary career.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
BARBRA IS LIKE BUTTAH!
- By JoeGato57 on 11-08-23
By: Barbra Streisand
-
The Odd Couple
- By: Neil Simon
- Narrated by: Nathan Lane, David Paymer, full cast
- Length: 1 hr and 30 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 144
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 97
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 97
Poker buddies Felix Ungar and Oscar Madison suddenly find themselves bachelors again and innocently decide to share an apartment. In this classic comedy by America's most prolific and successful playwright, these two wildly mismatched roommates bring down the house when they try to live together in one eight-room New York City apartment. Performed by a full cast starring Nathan Lane, David Paymer, Dan Castellaneta, Yeardley Smith, and more!
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Capturing the spirt of the stage
- By Berrett M on 01-30-05
By: Neil Simon
-
The Noël Coward Collection
- By: Noël Coward
- Narrated by: Annette Bening, Joe Mantegna, Eric Stoltz, and others
- Length: 9 hrs
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 138
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 116
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 118
Six phenomenally sophisticated Noël Coward comedies: Fallen Angels, Hay Fever, Private Lives, Design for Living, Blithe Spirit, Present Laughter.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Two great plays and a bunch that aren't bad
- By Michael on 12-27-12
By: Noël Coward
-
God of Carnage
- By: Yasmina Reza, Christopher Hampton - translation
- Narrated by: Simon Helberg, Amy Landecker, Josh Stamberg, and others
- Length: 1 hr and 9 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 113
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 106
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 104
Winner of the 2009 Tony Award®, God of Carnage is a brash and hilarious exploration of human nature. After one 11-year-old is hit by another, their parents meet to find a mature resolution. As the evening wears on, the veneer of civility degenerates. What begins as protective parenting ends as an excuse to let loose the primordial beast buried in each of us.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Great casting!!!
- By Juan C. Velandia on 02-14-20
By: Yasmina Reza, and others
-
Art
- By: Yasmina Reza, Christopher Hampton
- Narrated by: Bob Balaban, Brian Cox, Brian Perry
- Length: 1 hr and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 130
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 112
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 111
How much would you pay for a painting with nothing on it? Would it be art? Marc's best friend Serge has just bought a very expensive - and very white - painting. To Marc, the painting is a joke, and as battle lines are drawn, old friends use it to settle scores.
With friendships hanging in the balance, the question becomes: how much is a painting worth?
-
2 out of 5 stars
-
Save Your Money - Save Your Time
- By Grits on 01-26-16
By: Yasmina Reza, and others
-
The Motherf--ker with the Hat
- By: Stephen Adly Guirgis
- Narrated by: Bobby Cannavale, Chris Rock, Elizabeth Rodriguez, and others
- Length: 1 hr and 32 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 521
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 468
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 463
Addiction, pain, and explosive tempers are not exactly what you’d call the ingredients for a side-splitting comedy. Yet Steven Adly Guiguis has created a profane, hilarious masterpiece that earned a "hatful" of theatrical accolades in 2011, including a Drama Desk award for Outstanding Actor in a Play for Bobby Cannavale. Stars the original Broadway cast: Chris Rock, Bobby Canavale, Annabella Sciorra, Elizabeth Rodriguez and Yul Vazquez.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
chris l
- By 00KTN on 12-16-16
-
The Neil Simon Collection
- By: Neil Simon
- Narrated by: Dan Castellaneta, Nathan Lane, Richard Dreyfuss, and others
- Length: 18 hrs and 2 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 206
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 180
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 179
Ten essential plays by Neil Simon, one of the world’s most celebrated, translated, and widely performed playwrights, including Barefoot in the Park, The Odd Couple, Plaza Suite, Brighton Beach Memoirs, and more.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Good, but missing something
- By Michael on 12-28-12
By: Neil Simon
-
The Misanthrope
- By: Molière, Richard Wilbur - translator
- Narrated by: Brian Bedford, J. D. Cullum, Sarah Drew, and others
- Length: 1 hr and 50 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 71
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 60
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 60
This timeless comedy of manners is considered one of Molière's most probing and mature works. While it's still an exemplar of 17th century farce, Molière went beyond his usual comic inventiveness to create a world of rich, complex characters, especially in the cynical title character Alceste, played here by the Tony Award-winning actor Brian Bedford.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Good play, great translation, good performance
- By Timoteo on 03-08-18
By: Molière, and others
-
Red
- By: John Logan
- Narrated by: Jonathan Groff, Alfred Molina
- Length: 1 hr and 23 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 123
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 111
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 109
The artist Mark Rothko has just hired Ken, an aspiring artist, to be his assistant and errand boy. Ken discovers that Rothko's temper can run hot, but as he gets to know his boss better, he finds that Rothko has opened him up to more than just painting. An L.A. Theatre Works full-cast performance.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Brilliant and over too soon
- By Emily C. on 03-30-19
By: John Logan
-
Murder in the First
- By: Dan Gordon
- Narrated by: Edward Asner, Kate Asner, David Birney, and others
- Length: 1 hr and 39 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 8
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 7
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 7
This moving courtroom drama is based on a true incident that exposed the shocking conditions at Alcatraz. The tale begins when 18-year-old Willie Moore makes the biggest mistake of his life. Now, all he wants is a chance to talk baseball before he dies.
By: Dan Gordon
-
Angels in America
- A Gay Fantasia on National Themes
- By: Tony Kushner
- Narrated by: Andrew Garfield, Nathan Lane, Susan Brown, and others
- Length: 6 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 407
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 359
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 355
Presenting an original audiobook performance of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play, starring the cast of the National Theatre's 2018 Broadway revival.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Cast of Angels
- By Dan B. on 05-22-19
By: Tony Kushner
-
August: Osage County
- By: Tracy Letts
- Narrated by: Tara Lynne Barr, Shannon Cochran, Rosemarie DeWitt, and others
- Length: 2 hrs and 44 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 546
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 480
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 484
An L.A. Theatre Works full-cast recording, featuring members of the original Steppenwolf Theatre and Broadway productions: Tara Lynne Barr, Shannon Cochran, Deanna Dunagan (Tony Award®, Best Leading Actress), Kimberly Guerrero, Francis Guinan, Scott Jaeck, Ron Livingston, Robert Maffia, Mariann Mayberry, Rondi Reed (Tony Award®, Best Featured Actress), and David Warshofsky. Directed by Bart DeLorenzo. Recorded by L.A. Thetare Works before a live audience.
-
1 out of 5 stars
-
Hated the bad language! Too much!
- By heavensstairway on 04-24-15
By: Tracy Letts
-
The Seagull
- By: Anton Chekhov, Christopher Hampton - translator
- Narrated by: Calista Flockhart, T. R. Knight, Stephen Collins, and others
- Length: 1 hr and 49 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 133
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 112
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 112
Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull is considered one of his most haunting and atmospheric character studies. A would-be playwright is at war with his egoistic mother while the town has become intoxicated by a sensational author. And as the alluring newcomer steals away Kosta’s only love, their new romance could have devastating consequences.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Superb
- By Stephen on 03-02-15
By: Anton Chekhov, and others
Editorial reviews
Each actor in this audiobook offers full-bodied characterizations, while appropriate sound effects and period music add dimension to Coward's improbable farce. Charles Condomine, a writer, and his second wife, Ruth, engage the services of a medium to conduct a séance - just for laughs. To their shock and horror, they are unexpectedly visited by Condomine's dead first wife, Elvira, who plots to get Charles into the spirit world so they can be together for all eternity. Coward's 1941 comedy features Colin Redgrave as Charles, Kika Markham as Ruth, Joanna Lumley as Elvira, and Thelma Ruby as the outrageous medium, Madam Arcati.
What listeners say about Blithe Spirit
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Gwynne O'Reagan
- 01-20-07
Fabulous fun!
This is a terrific audio production of one of Coward's best and funniest plays. If you liked "Private Lives," you'll love "Blithe Spirit." This cast is wonderful--with British alternately crisp and plummy voices, they make you taste the bone-dry martinis and feel the silk dressing gowns that the triangle of romantic characters must have worn! And Madame Arcady, the much too successsful psychic, is a comic gem. You will enjoy this one, I promise.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
8 people found this helpful