That's the Spirit! Grand's packed programme of drama, music and family fun for the new season

Blackpool's landmark Grand Theatre has revealed details of its new autumn season, and the packed programme of powerhouse performances is led by a wicked new co-production of Noël Coward's hauntingly hilarious Blithe Spirit.

- by Philip Cunnington

Blithe Spirit is one of Coward's most famous and much-loved plays and has bewitched audiences for more than 80 years with its razor-sharp script, chaotic charm and ghostly mischief.

The play arrives at the Grand in time for Halloween, meaning you can get those seasonal scares from Tuesday, October 28 to Saturday, November 1.

It tells the spectral story of successful novelist Charles Condomine, who invites eccentric medium Madame Arcati to his home for a séance-purely for research, of course.

But when the ghost of his glamorous (and gloriously difficult) first wife Elvira is accidentally summoned, Charles' perfectly planned life with his second wife Ruth takes a turn for the supernatural.

Elvira has absolutely no intention of "going gently into that good night" and soon the living and the dead are locked in a battle of wills and wry remarks as life and the afterlife collide and Elvira wreaks havoc to sabotage Charles' new marriage.

Cue chaos, cocktails and Coward at his sharpest.

Aside from the Coward classic, the Grand's new season sees big names bringing all the deadly drama this season.