Gaslight

It was a pleasure to return and sub for your Regional Representative Gordon and good to see again some of your members who were in the cast of ‘Cranford’  in 2015 on my first visit. Also, I won a raffle prize again, so thank you. Carole Ore last seen as an impressive Miss Matty, was your director and in charge of the very appropriate Victorian costumes whom I congratulate  on a splendid evening of psychological suspense well played out by the cast.

The WI Hall front exterior fools you, for inside is a large space with good sized stage with most attractive tasselled curtaining with EP shield above. A warm welcome was received from behind the tea hatch where I collected my ticket for a good front viewing. Members easily recognisable in their black polo shirts offered raffles and programmes. Old time music ran through the hall included ‘Goodbye Dolly Gray’ and ‘Down at the Old Bull & Bush’ setting the scene. The Victorian stage set was a picture of opulence designed by Andrew Dore with finest detail. We were transported into a living room on the first floor of a four storeyed London house in the 1880’s. Semi circular in shape with two doors and a window at the rear. The wallpaper was dramatic, and the dark wooden contrast of a picture rail and superb cast iron fireplace with twisted overmantel was stunning. The grate had tiling on both sides and was dressed with companion set and coal scuttle. The overshelf had appropriate vases set.  Button back sofa and upholstered straight back chairs were set and the small circular table was covered in a beautiful cloth whilst the patterned curtains matched the cushions.  Various pictures hung  from the rail – one of Queen Victoria and  ‘Bubbles’ perfect.  The light fittings of course vital to the plot were first class with the diming effects and the maid’s taper lighting well executed. Other splendid features were the polished silver props of the tea tray, the locked bureau containing convincing papers and box contents and just loved the tubular bell system that was timed to perfection.  An impressive centre chandelier lighting feature was suspended, and the floor was laid with a large central carpet – a coat stand stood towards the rear of the room together with a large potted plant.  Congratulations to the designer Andrew and his team of set builders together with Denise Taylor and Caroline Newman and their array of props.

I met Marie Kerrigan in charge of sound, including suspense music, and Olly Locket took charge of the well-cued lighting effects crucial to the thriller plot.

The tale of deceit, manipulation, murder penned by psychological thriller writer Hamilton first aired in 1938 with the gaslight theme that might well be as applicable today as then, regretfully. Jack Manningham was a controlling husband of seven years to Bella who was tormented by his manipulation until she thought she was going quite mad like her mother before her, but was she? Strange goings on at night when the lights dim and she had the feeling there was someone aloft after he left on his nightly jaunts.  Objects go missing – she’s accused of hiding them. Did she? Both mammoth parts for both softly but barbed in speech Leslie Hawkins with Julia Bennett dressed in blue and period hair styling, both in script and a permanent anxiousness for Julia to maintain.  Action flowed well with Isobel Currie there for a minor prompt. The appearance of a stranger was welcome in the form of retired detective Rough whose memory had been jogged for he recognised Manningham as Sydney Power who he suspected of foul play 20 years previous in the same room an elderly lady was brutally murdered, her fortune of rubies are still missing, womaniser Jack desperately determined to find them, and has discovered too a first wife in Australia so Bella’s not truly married to the wretch!  Rough was beautifully interpreted by James Dale appearing dressed in a Sherlock Holmes styled cape – perfect fast moving and talking adding some humour too until he persuades Bella and Elizabeth with his plan to bring Jack to justice and release her from her torment.  All the while the rubies are hidden in a vase above the fireplace! Following the cunning plan Manningham is restrained and escorted away by Constable Crabtree by Chairman Andrew Robinson looking the part.  Two members of the household were loyal housekeeper Elizabeth characterised by Doreen Clark and young flighty housemaid Nancy cheekily played by newcomer Abi Kemp. Charlie Edelstan was an added attraction as the bellringing Muffin Man who shared his wares with the audience – I had mine toasted for breakfast.

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