Blithe Spirit," Noel Coward's 1941 play, titled after the first line of the poem "To a Skylark" by Percy Shelley, is one of the most brilliantly witty comedies of the 20th century.

But Shelley, taken out of context, could have been referring to Fort Hays State University's production as he wrote, "Hail to thee, blithe Spirit, bird thou never wert."

Despite all efforts of the many talented people involved, the show takes wing only sporadically. The company needs to pick up the pace a bit -- it is a three-act play, but it shouldn't take more than two hours, not counting intermissions.

Its major problem, though, is audibility. The acoustics at Felten-Start Theater are not very good at best, so actors without microphones need to shout to be heard.

At the rehearsal I attended, almost the whole opening dialogue got lost. And the loss was crucial, because this conversation between author Charles Condomine (Mario Lozoya), the hero, and Ruth (Stacey Rathert), his second wife, not only strikes sparks of wit, but governs the entire course of the action.

Charles and Ruth, married for the second time, are expecting dinner guests. They have a comfortable relationship, though passion plays no part in it, and neither wants to disturb the status quo. But Charles misses his first wife, the late Elvira, and Ruth tries not to be jealous.

They have invited Madame Arcati (Regina Heier), a medium who, in contrast to others in the cast, could double as the noon whistle, and Dr. and Mrs. Bradman (Devin Konkel and Leanne Mersmann).

Charles wants to observe a charlatan at work for a book he is writing. After dinner, Madame Arcati conducts a séance that conjures, you guessed it, Elvira (Stefanie Stevens). And a very blithe spirit she is -- her entrance and the ensuing exchange with Charles create one of those moments when the show takes off and sings. (It also helps that this little scene plays at the very front of the stage.)

Naturally, Elvira's apparition has ever-escalating consequences that culminate in Ruth's death and subsequent reappearance (Elvira has set a trap for Charles that, uh, backfires). Now Charles has double trouble, but, after a number of failed attempts, Madame Arcati, aided by Edith the maid (Sami Pfeifer), succeeds in making the warring wives disappear, sort of.

I am glad to report the actors, when they could be understood, did well for the most part. Charles gave a professional performance as the harried hero.

Ruth put considerable charm into an endlessly long, rather frustrating role as eternal second-fiddle to Elvira. Elvira herself lit up the stage, exuding glamour and gleeful misbehavior. Madame Arcati went too far over the top -- she needs to learn that less busy and less loud is more effective.

Bruce Bardwell has designed a large and sumptuous set -- fiercely Victorian clutter, maroon damask and gold fringe with a grand piano all covered in gold and pale green stripes, even the legs. Jeremy Wann's lighting especially is effective when following Elvira with a pale blue spotlight, making her, and later Ruth, look even more ethereal.

Thanks to Rebecca Jaquay, the leading ladies always are well dressed -- I especially liked Ruth's teal tea dress. And highest praise goes to Jenni Rajewski, who directs this production.

"Blithe Spirit" runs at 7:30 p.m. today through Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday in Felten-Start Theater in Malloy Hall on the FHSU campus. "A Life of the Mind" by Sam Shepard, April 29 to May 2, will be the last play in the FHSU theater season.

Ruth Firestone is a supporter of music and theater in Hays.