Regular visitors to the Minack Theatre in Cornwall will be returning to the Duchy this July with its take on a classic comedy.

Ilkey Players will perform one of Noel Coward’s classic comedies Blithe Spirit which features 1930s glamour, elegance, and panache with a ‘splash of slapstick comedy’.

This version is set in 1935 in the Condomines' home on the Cornish coast, not far from Land’s End.

Charles is a successful author, researching his new book with the help of his second wife, Ruth. He invited what he believes to be a charlatan spiritual medium to his home and the outcome is quite unexpected.

Is the medium Madame Acrati a fraud? Maybe the happenings in the house are the product of Charles' frenzied imagination? Or is there someone else in the house who could help? Whatever the outcome this show will provide an evening of fun and escapism.

The director, Jay Cundell Walkers said: “I have really enjoyed exploring the physical aspects of this play, producing a piece which has large-scale comedy as befits this wonderful space.

“It has been great for me to return to my early roots in pantomime and physical theatre and to bring that experience to a play which is traditionally sophisticated and quite restrained.”

Ilkley Players have been regular visitors to the Minack since 1975 and won the trophy for the best production in 1979 for Camelot and in 2009 for The Crucible. This year will be their 23rd visit to the outside theatre.

Blithe Spirit runs from July 24 to 27. Tickets and further information can be found on the Minack Theatre website www.minack.com/whats-on/blithe-spirit.