Clear Space gets a different kind of haunted house for 'Blithe Spirit'; play runs Feb. 3 to 19

In its seventh season of productions, Clear Space Theatre Company has firmly established an aesthetic for its shows, which loyal patrons have come to expect and respect. For its next production, Noel Coward’s “Blithe Spirit,” the creative team is taking the Clear Space look in a slightly different direction.

The classic British farce, which runs from Saturday, Feb. 3 to Sunday, Feb.19, is the first production in Clear Space’s history that requires the construction of a completely functional interior, or unit, set. Whereas all past productions have mainly relied on lighting and costumes to enhance the actors’ performances, “Blithe Spirit” will usher in a good bit of theatrical spectacle along with the other technical elements.

Production designer Chris McLaughlin is at the helm of this project, designing and executing the construction of this intricate project. “My background in scenic design and construction is based in unit sets,” says McLaughlin. “I learned the basics from working on realistic, interior settings for productions like ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ and ‘Hay Fever.’”

McLaughlin says, although “Blithe Spirit” is a slight detour for the company in terms of style, it still adheres to the company aesthetic. “Although this show fairly relies on spectacle, at the end of the day, it is still about the art of theatre and making sure the performances of our actors really shine,” he says.

For those unfamiliar with the show, “Blithe Spirit” centers on author Charles Condomine and the ghost of his first wife, Elvira, who is summoned back and subsequently haunts and terrorizes his household.

“The real challenge with this production is the fact that it includes ghosts,” says McLaughlin. “Things must appear to happen by themselves. With the size and setup of our technical crew and the theatre itself, we’re finding creative ways to make great things happen simply.”

Performances will start at 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday evenings and 3 p.m., Sundays with a special matinee Thursday, Feb. 9 at 11 a.m. Tickets, priced $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and $15 for students and children, are available online at www.ClearSpaceTheatre.org, by phone at 302-227-2270 or in person at the box office, 20 Baltimore Ave.