Superb reviews for Annette Badland in Blithe Spirit at Manchester Royal Exchange

Annette Badland recently appeared in the Manchester Royal Exchange's Christmas production of Blithe Spirit directed by Sarah Frankcom. Annette took the role of Madam Arcati and not only thoroughly enjoyed throwing herself into seances and psychic trances at every opportunity, but also garnered some lovely personal mentions in the reviews in the process!

"Stoutly no-nonsense and head-mistressy rather than wafting and ethereal, Annette Badland is absolutely first-rate as Arcati, seizing the stage as if she could swing open the Pearly Gates with her own bare hands. Her eyes roll demonically during her fits of possession. Her nose constantly twitches for traces of "ectoplasmic manifestation". She is a total send-up and yet somehow the most real personality in the room. Her contribution lifts a generally pleasing production into the stratospheric realms of high comic satisfaction." Dominic Cavendish, The Telegraph, 04.01.10

"But the star is flaming redhead Annette Badland's roaring seer Madame Arcati.  She's worth the price of admission alone." Chris Riches, Daily Express, 15.12.09

"...Annette Badland as the medium Madame Arcati, achieves the near impossible, dispelling the shadow of Margaret Rutherford (creator of the role on stage and screen) with a captivatingly delightful dottiness." Clare Brennan, The Observer, 20.12.09

"Annette Badland's skipping Madame Arcati hints of a woman so in thrall to her inner child that she's never really grown up." Lyn Gardner, The Guardian, 11.01.10

"The medium, Madame Arcati, is the play's big comic turn. Here Annette Badland gives a detailed and sympathetic performance, overplaying neither the eccentricity nor the sincerity." Dominic Maxwell, The Times, 16.12.09