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work of art in itself. Accurate to the extreme, including wall colours, wallpaper, moulding details and fl ooring, it’s also used to plan stage lighting as well as the build strategy and costings. Once this model has been completed by the designer it is passed to the talented production team to build, adjusting fi ner details and problem solving along the way. With a co-production such as this the team not only have to work to the Headlines September and October 2025 This Autumn a stunning new production of Blithe Spirit directed by Anthony Banks with design by Terry Parsons will open at Salisbury Playhouse, part of Wiltshire Creative. First staged in 1941, Blithe Spirit is often regarded as Coward’s best work. This comic farce is celebrated for its sharp wit, fast-paced dialogue and clever stage tricks. It tells the story of a novelist haunted by his fi rst wife, whose ghost is unwittingly conjured up during a séance. This exciting new production is directed by Anthony Banks, a former associate director at the National Theatre, and designed by Terry Parsons who has designed 37 productions in London’s West End. Salisbury Playhouse host many performances throughout the year, but what is so unique about this one is that it is entirely home grown. The number of theatres in the country able to do this is rapidly diminishing, few now produce from scratch and even fewer have the luxury of an on-site workshop. The process of theatre design is fascinating, all starting with a stage maquette which will replicate all the details of the completed set design, a Salisbury stage plan but it also has to accommodate Blackpool as well. Salisbury supports a full time multi- talented workshop team of three, who when working on a home grown production are used to turning their hands to anything. The stage management team then go out to source authentic props while the costume department, consisting of two full-time staff, work as sustainably as possible to dress the entire cast using recycled materials as often as possible. They work to a code of practice known as the ‘Theatre Green Book’ which ensures the cultural sector is as sustainable as possible but means all their resources and materials must be meticulously stored and catalogued so they can be used ef fi ciently. Wiltshire Creative is a hub for theatre practitioners within the Southwest, nurturing the industry and supporting several full time roles. While fewer and fewer theatres are able to produce in- house productions these skilled workshop and wardrobe teams are busy behind the scenes at Salisbury Playhouse bringing Parsons’ Blithe Spirit designs to life. Despite the national downturn Salisbury appears to be thriving and their future programme, under Creative Director Gareth Machin, looks bright and enticing. Southwest audiences will be the fi rst to see the exquisite art deco style set and costumes before they travel across the country. The production goes into rehearsals at Salisbury Playhouse in September and runs from 2 until 25 October 2025. After its Salisbury run, the production will transfer to Blackpool Grand Theatre from 28 October until 1 November. Expect mischief, mayhem and plenty of laughs in this beautifully crafted production. Suzy Rushbrook 4 TERRY PARSONS ‘BLITHE SPIRIT’ (Model box design) Photograph by Lexi Par fi tt Blithe Spirit Follow evolvermagazine on Instagram ‘BLITHE SPIRIT’ 2 – 25 October Salisbury Playhouse, Malthouse Lane, SALISBURY, SP2 7RA. 7.30pm (matinees 2.15pm). £12. 01722 320333 / wiltshirecreative.co.uk .