2026
Pinawa Players’ Blithe Spirit a comedic hit
By Rick McGregor
The latest Pinawa Players production, Blithe Spirit, by Noel Coward, played to sold out crowds over the weekend and ended with standing ovations.
Coward, a British playwright, composer and actor, had a flair for the flamboyant. Blithe Spirit is no exception, most notably displayed to a tee by Jessica Ginter as Madame Arcati, the medium called into conduct a séance for the writer, Charles Condomine played by Daryl Woodbeck, who was looking for ideas for a new book.
When the séance goes badly, the resulting appearance of Elvira, the ghost of Condomine’s late wife, throws everyone’s lives into comedic turmoil. Played perfectly by Karen Bernauer, Elvira, who can only be seen and heard by Condomine, proceeds to attempt to re-enter her husband’s new life with his second wife, Ruth, played equally well by another veteran of the Pinawa Players, Linda Tait.
Unwitting bystanders to the absurdity taking place are Dr. Bradman and Mrs. Bradman, played by John Tait and Connie Hamon. Lisa Proveau as the housekeeper, Edith, provided both laughs and an unexpected twist at the end of the night.
Produced by Shannon Swaenepoel and directed by Wanda Woodbeck with assistance from assistant director and prompt Josephine Hall, many other veterans of the troupe assisted with off-screen roles like stage manager, make-up and props. This is one of the many secrets to success of this multi-talented theatre ensemble; the ability of many of its members to move from support roles in one production to starring roles in another.
This play was longer than most taken on by the Pinawa Players presenting a stiff challenge to all of the actors.
“What made this production particularly challenging, not only in my role as Elvira, but for all the characters, was the British vocabulary which added some challenges when it came to memorizing lines,” Bernauer said. “Add in British accents and it pushed us all to really find and develop our characters. We were very lucky to have an amazing director who gave us... fantastic support and allowed us to give our own interpretation of our characters, but still bring her vision of these characters to life.”
Asked for her thoughts after the final performance, audience member Loretta Nyhus said she was impressed with the production.
“This is proof that small towns can shine with extraordinary talent,” Nyhus said.
Another member of the crowd was overheard saying, “It’s crazy to think a small town like Pinawa has such an outstanding theatre group.”
The Pinawa Player
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