BY MATTHEW BEHRENS

EMC Entertainment - The first show in the Classic Theatre Festival's inaugural season, the riotous Noel Coward comedy 'Blithe Spirit', enters its final week on the heels of appreciative audiences and critical reception at the Studio Theatre in Perth.

The professional company, which has brought some of Canada's top theatrical talent to Perth for the summer, runs Blithe Spirit until Sunday, Aug. 1, at which time the theatre will switch gears and prepare for the arrival of the season's second show, the World War II romantic comedy, 'The Voice of the Turtle', previewing Aug. 6 at 8 p.m. and Aug. 7 at 2 p.m., and opening Aug. 7 at 8 p.m. (with a reception to follow at the Stone Cellar). That show runs Aug. 6-29.

Standing ovations, enthusiastic audience comments, and increased tourism to Perth are all products of the Classic Theatre Festival, the brainchild of artistic producer Laurel Smith, who moved here last October.

"We're thrilled to see that our message about making Perth a regular day trip and a stay-trip destination, with professional summer theatre as a major part of that draw, has gotten out there, and people are responding," says Smith, who notes that visitors from as far away as New York and Michigan have come specifically to see the show. Visitors from as far afield as Scotland and Nova Scotia have also enjoyed the work of Ontario's newest professional summer theatre.

"People are very happy to have a professional summer theatre in the area, and many have told us they are not only coming to see our next show, but will be back again next year," says Smith. "The people who come to the theatre are also making reservations at local restaurants and accommodations, which is the kind of economic spinoff we were hoping to see here."

Media commentary has been highly favourable for the festival as well. In addition to features on the CBC, A-Channel, CKWS-Kingston, Jack-FM, and in the Perth Courier, EMC, Ottawa Valley Living, and the Humm, local theatre writer Ian Doig has been full of praise for the company's first show, which he deemed "top-flight theatre, excellently done," adding "My first impression on walking into the theatre was that the stage, on which I had spent quite a bit of time myself, had been replaced by the most interesting set I had seen in a long time - it filled the entire front of the theatre!"

Doig added that "The acting is excellent, the writing is astounding and finally, the direction is wonderful! For any theatre buff, I would suggest that this is an event not to be missed."

Lake 88.1's Ian Sutton agreed, stating, "The Classic Theatre Festival's Blithe Spirit is an excellent production of the forever-clever Noel Coward play ... including some surprises toward the end. The performances, direction, sets and wardrobe are all terrific."

For Smith, one of the most touching comments came from a couple in Ottawa, who had journeyed to Perth a few Saturdays ago. Richard and Barbara Thompson-Walker wrote "As members of the audience we were riveted by some superb acting and as long term theatre addicts we have rarely seen a play so superbly presented....as a cancer survivor such an experience is a huge tonic to both my wife and I."

Upon receiving the letter, Smith said its message hit home, for she sees theatre as a form of entertainment that helps us deal with the obstacles we face in our lives.

"Noel Coward wrote Blithe Spirit in the midst of the Second World War, a way of thumbing his nose at death and finding reasons for living despite the madness all around him," she notes. "We have already seen audiences enjoying that cathartic experience of laughter in our first show, and we hope to provide more of that for the rest of this summer and in the years to come as the festival expands."

Tickets are still available for the final shows of Blithe Spirit, Wednesday to Saturday at 8 p.m., with 2 p.m. matinees Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. They are available at Tickets Please (in Jo's Clothes, 39 Foster Street), online at www.classictheatre.ca, or by calling 1-877-283-1283 ext. 1. Tickets are also available for the Voice of the Turtle, running Aug. 6-29.