­A ‘Spirit’ Of A Play Coming To NHS

By Eliza Hallabeck

A ghost appeared on the stage in Newtown High School’s auditorium on Thursday, November 6, and as students performed a dress rehearsal for Blithe Spirit, a comedy written by Noel Coward, the spirit practiced her lines along with everyone else.

“It’s a farce,” said Sonia Brand-Fisher, a senior at NHS and the director of the play. “A very fast-paced British comedy.”

Sonia applied to be the director of the fall play at the school, and the entire production is student run.

“The process has just been absolutely amazing,” said Sonia.

Since her freshman year, she said, she has been involved with the drama department, and for her last year at the school she wanted to get involved with directing.

Blithe Spirit was first performed in 1941, and it takes place in a living room during the late 1930s. An author invites a medium to his home to perform a séance, but he, his wife, and their two friends unknowingly invoke the spirit of his dead first wife to haunt the house.

Only the author can see the ghost, and he eventually learns that his dead wife is plotting for his death.

“It’s got a witty British humor to it,” said Sonia. 

Sonia added that the actors in the play have been able to throw themselves into their characters. “The cast has just been wonderful,” Sonia said.

Sonia said she proposed the performance of Blithe Spirit, came up with the budget and more in order to be selected as the director for this fall’s student-run performance.

Students direct the fall performance each year and to be chosen as director, they have to apply for the position and then be interviewed by a panel of teachers.

Sonia said she wanted to have Blithe Spirit at the high school because “it deals a lot with memory, and whether love transcends time.”

The play is important in a fast-paced society, she said.

“It really takes time to stop and realize memory is something that is really beautiful,” said Sonia.

Acting has been an interest of Sonia’s since she was little, she said, and she wants to be a film critic after graduating from college.

“Once I got [to NHS] I thought I could explore all aspects of theater,” said Sonia.

NHS teacher Abigail Marks has been overseeing the production of Blithe Spirit, and she said it is a great opportunity for the students.

“It’s the kind of opportunity kids really get in college,” said Ms Marks, who is an English teacher at the school.

Musical theater has been a hobby for Ms Marks, who was the drama club organizer two years ago.

Ms Marks said the performances of Blithe Spirit will be entertaining for the audience.

“It’s funny. It’s an absurd comedy. You get to suspend reality for hours and enjoy,” said Ms Marks.

Blithe Spirit will be performed at Newtown High School on Thursday and Friday, November 13 and 14 at 7:30 pm; and Saturday, November 15, at 2 and 7:30 pm. Tickets will be available at the door and are $10 adults, $8 for students and seniors.