Blithe Spirit, McGrigor Hall, Frinton, Until Saturday. 01255 676656

FRINTON Summer Theatre patrons were this week treated to a delightfully comic and ghoulish performance of Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit.

The witty play follows novelist Charles Condomine as he persuades eccentric village medium Madame Arcati to perform a séance at his home as part of his research.

But Madame Arcati unwittingly summons Charles’ mischievous ex-wife Elvira, who doesn’t take kindly to his new wife Ruth.

The wonderfully written play is at its best during its more farcical scenes, which showed Matthew Romain, who played Charles, at his best.

He grew into the role as story developed, especially as he became more and more flustered as the improbable situation advanced.

Ruth Everett (playing Ruth), Eleanor Wyld (Elivira), and Felicity Duncan (Arcati) were all making their Frinton debut and worked seamlessly together. Credit also goes to Zoe Thorne (Edith), who provided perfectly-timed comic relief.

Former Archers’ star Graham Seed, playing Dr Bradman, was also excellent and appeared to relish being on the stage in Frinton, as did Virge Gilchrist, who was returning to Frinton after appearing in Whose Life Is It Anyway in 2016.

Plaudits also go to the set designers for a wonderful finale.