THIS dark and verbose comedy sees writer, Charles Condomine (Steve Reading) engineering a séance, commanded by the eccentric medium, Madame Arcati (Peta Reading) who manages to summon Charles’ dead first wife, Elvira (Jacquie Arnott), who proceeds in tormenting his current wife, Ruth Condomine (Julie Curry), to her death.

Director, Kay Sumpner commends her dream cast in the programme and indeed they are quite some team. The characterisations are well thought out, with underlying personal flaws that give a dark edge to the comedy.

Then there is the line delivery, which is perfect throughout.

The spats between the Condomines are delivered faultlessly and at great speed and Madame Arcati’s murmuring and singing add a comedic and ethereal quality that clashes with her sharp retorts.

Then arrives Elvira, ghostly in nature but exuding impish coquettishness and sexuality that has her sociopathic ex- eating from her hand.

The set and props were outstanding but the scene changes were not, being altogether out of character with the overall standard. Altogether a first-rate night out at the Ashcroft Arts Centre, Fareham.