Charles Condomine

a novelist. Charles is bright, sophisticated, articulate, and debonair but somewhat at the mercy of his wives, past and present. His interest in spiritualism as a subject for a novel leads Charles to ask Madame Arcati to dinner and a séance. He is skeptical but becomes a believer when the ghost of his first wife appears—and stays.

Age: late 20s to 50s

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​Ruth Condomine

Charles’s second wife. Like her husband, Ruth is witty and sophisticated, and she is quite the society matron. Ruth is a bit stuffy and a little predictable. She is convinced that Charles has lost his mind when Elvira appears. Ruth acts as a concerned wife, trying to restore Charles to normalcy.

Age: late 20s to 50s

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Elvira

The ghost of Charles’s first wife. Only Charles can see or hear her. In life, Elvira was spirited, outgoing, wild, and carefree. In death, she is no different. She does love Charles, if somewhat casually, and is jealous of Ruth.

Age: 20s to 40s

 

Madame Arcati

The local spiritualist and medium. Quirky and spry, Madame Arcati comes into the play talking to an eight-year-old contact on the other side. She truly is in contact with the other world and inadvertently is the “medium” through which Elvira is called back to this one. She is eccentric, effusive and boisterous.

Age: 30s to 70s

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Dr. George Bradman

A good friend of the Condomines who is invited to dinner and the séance. He is entirely skeptical of anything to do with the occult but tries his utmost to go along with the proceedings for the sake of Charles’ research.

Age: 30s to 60s

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Violet Bradman

Dr. Bradman’s wife. Simple and naïve, she is quite excited about being in the presence of the medium, whom she finds fascinating.

Age: 30s to 60s

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Edith

The Condomine’s new maid. She is nervous and tears around at breakneck speed trying to do things right and make a good impression.

Age: late Teens to 40s​​

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* All characters speak with Standard British accents except for Edith, who is Cockney.

* All roles are available.