NEWS RELEASE
MARIPOSA ARTS THEATRE
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Blithe Spirit is a play by renowned British playwright, Noel Coward. It was first performed in London’s West End in 1941 where it ran for a record 1,997 performances before moving on to Broadway later that year.
Blithe Spirit is a clever, campy well-dressed comedy that centres around socialite and novelist, Charles Condomine, who invites the flamboyant clairvoyant, Madame Arcati to his house to conduct a séance. He hopes to use the experience to write his next book, however, the plan backfires when Arcati ‘accidentally’ summons his late first wife, Elvira.
As mischievous in death as she was in life, Elvira attempts to disrupt his marriage to his second wife, Ruth, who cannot see or hear the ghost. What follows is an unpredictable and hilarious series of events that promise to lift your own spirits.
Mariposa Arts Theatre is honoured to bring this production to Orillia. According to Director, Doug Ironside: "Blithe Spirit is a classic play with timeless themes. It's one of those treasured plays you should see at least once, and could easily see any number of times, in each instance seeing different beats, all of which are light, joyous or perhaps outrageous. This play is all at once a comedy, a drama, a laughable farce and a total delight, perhaps the theatrical equivalent of sweet and salty kettle corn. Come out and enjoy."
For more than 50 years, Mariposa Arts Theatre has staged 150 live productions ranging from Rocky Horror Show to Shakespeare to The Wizard of Oz. Mariposa Arts Theatre (MAT) is a charitable organization/ community theatre located in Orillia; offering entertainment for audiences of all ages. The key plot line behind MAT’s success is ‘community support’ and the devoted group of volunteers who perform key roles on both sides of the curtain.
MAT’s fiscal and creative success has benefitted other organizations, including: the historic Orillia Opera House as well as supporting bursaries for Orillia-based high school students.
MAT’s TIFF Film screenings are as popular as ever. For more than 18 years, International Film Festival entries are screened at the local Cineplex cinemas. With help from the proceeds from these high quality screenings and the commitment of MAT community members they were able to fulfill the dream of building their own theatre space.
In 2006, the Mariposa Arts Theatre group’s custom-built rehearsal/performance hall was ready for its own ‘closeup’. Located at 12 Brammer Dr. in north Orillia, the intimate 43-seat theatre offers theatre goers from across the GTA and southern Ontario world-class live entertainment within a short drive from their home or the cottage.
MAT’s longstanding partnership with Orillia Opera House is a cornerstone of their history and success. Most of their productions over the past 50-plus years have been presented in the Studio theatre or the Lightfoot Auditorium which helps to bring productions to larger audiences in a fabulous historical and first-class venue. Come experience the classic Blithe Spirit in Orillia’s remarkable, historic Opera House.
Tickets are available for the shows, April 13-16 and 20-23, through the Orillia Opera House box office. Phone: 705-326-8011 Tickets: www.orilliaoperahouse.ca or the MAT website.
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