Blithe Spirit [antikvár]

BLITHE SPIRIT ACT I Scene i The Scene is the living-room of the Condomines' house in Kent. The room is light, attractive and comfortably furnished. On the l there are french windows opening on to the garden. On the r there is an open fireplace. At the back there are double doors leading to the hall, the dining-room, the stairs, and the servants^ quarters. A Ground Plan will be found at the end of the play. Light Cue No. i. Act I, Scene i. When the Curtain rises it is about eight o'clock on a summer evening. There is a wood fire burning because it is an English summer evening. The doors are open, the windows are closed. The curtains are partially closed. Edith comes in from the hall carrying, rather uneasily, a large tray of cocktail things. She comes to the c table with the tray of drinks. She sees there is no room, so puts it on the drinks table up stage r with a sigh of relief. Ruth enters c briskly. She is a smart-looking woman in the middle thirties. She is dressed for dinner, but not elaborately. Ruth. That's right, Edith. Edith. Yes'm. Ruth. Now you'd better fetch the ice-bucket. Edith. Yes'm. Ruth {arranging the ornaments on the piano) Did you manage to get the ice out of those little tin trays? Edith. Yes'm—I 'ad a bit of a struggle though—but it's all right. Ruth. And you filled the little trays up again with water? Edith. Yes'm. Ruth {moving to the window and arranging the curtains) Very good, Edith—you're making giant strides. Edith. Yes'm. Ruth. Madame Arcati, Mrs Bradman and I will have our coffee in here after dinner, and Mr Condomine and Doctor Brad-man will have theirs in the dining-room—is that quite clear? Edith. Yes'm. Ruth. And when you're serving dinner, Edith, try to remember to do it calmly and methodically. Edith. Yes'm. Ruth. As you are not in the Navy, it is unnecessary to do everything at the double.