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Remarkably, Blithe Spirit arrived in the middle of the London Blitz during World War II and set a record for non-musical productions playing all the way through the war. Not even the Germans or falling bombs could keep audiences away—perhaps it was the way Londoner’s found a way to laugh their way through the madness unfolding about them. After playing for 1,997 performances in the West End, Blithe Spirit moved on to Broadway where it was a major hit. A film version, directed by David Lean (Dr. Zhivago) and starring Rex Harrison, appeared in 1946 and a musical adaptation, High Spirits, appeared on Broadway in 1964. This comic gem has remained a popular favorite with numerous television and radio versions appearing year after year. West End and Broadway revivals have followed including the new Broadway production of Blithe Spirit that recently opened.

The title comes from Percy Bysshe Shelley's poem "To a Skylark" ("Hail to thee, blithe Spirit! . . .”)