Blithe Spirit cast to perform cabaret in honour of Angela Lansbury

The cast of the West End production of Blithe Spirit will mark the end of its run and bid farewell to its star – Angela Lansbury – with a special cabaret at the Cafe de Paris, directed by Michael Blakemore.

Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit finishes at the Gielgud Theatre in the West End on June 7. The company of the production, which is also directed by Blakemore, will come together to perform a cabaret at the Cafe de Paris on June 3, featuring performers Janie Dee, Charles Edwards and Jemima Rooper.

Dee is organising the cabaret, which is called I Went to a Marvellous Party, after the Coward song of the same name. Coward performed many of his own shows at the Cafe de Paris.

Dee told The Stage that the show was a way to give Lansbury a proper send off, before she returns to the US, and for fans to enjoy her company.

“Blithe Spirit has been the most amazing success, but we can’t come out of character and do much spontaneously in the show. If we do a cabaret, there is more opportunity to enjoy Angela’s company,” she said, adding: “This will be a one-off, never to happen again celebration of the wonderful run here in London.”

Dee explained that the cabaret would be preceded by a three-course dinner.

“As the curtain comes down on Blithe Spirit and the cast make their way over to join the audience and perform a special cabaret, dessert will be served. There are surprises in store,” she added.

Profits from the event will be donated to charity.

The cabaret will have musical direction by Alex Parker, who previously worked with Dee on the show Putting It Together.

More information can be found here.