CHARLES and Ruth have a frightfully good idea, they'll hold a seance with local eccentric Madame Arcati and expose her as a fraud.

However, the couple reckon without the psychic powers at work in the house and up pops the spirit of Charles ex-wife Elvira.

Elvira and Ruth then wage a battle for Charles' affections, which is quite difficult for Ruth as she cannot see or hear her foe.

That's the basic premise of Noel Coward's entertaining comedy which is brought to life at the Octagon.

Stealing every scene she is in is Ann Rye as the eccentric pyschic, a cross between Clarissa Dickson-Wright and Hetty Wainthrop, who is an absolute hoot.

Special mention too to the scenery and effects which add to the out of this world experience.

Mark Hayford, as Charles perhaps needed to be snappier in his delivery for the comedy to really flow.

But it's still worth making the effort to go to the Octgaon and let the spirit move you.

Until March 30.

Blithe Spirit

Octagon Theatre, Bolton