Gaslight

Gaslight
Written by: Patrick Hamilton
Performed by: Frome Drama
Directed by: Richard J Thomas
Venue: Merlin Theatre
Date: 3rd April 2025
Rep: Mike Purnell

Firstly I must thank you for the invite. My first visit to Frome’s Merlin Theatre.
What a gem of a place. Very comfortable with a great view from every seat.
Most clubs would kill to have a local space like this to perform in. A good
buzzy audience all added to the atmosphere of your first night.
Yes, the play was written in 1938, and I believe there has been a few
adaptions whether film or stage since, even under the different guise of Angel
Street. As usual with this age of play I felt it was a little long and a bit
repetitive at times. I notice the latest adaption in 2022 was condensed to two
acts which may have improved it. Even so, I must say that this kind of play is
right up my street. Took me back to days of the old TV program “Thriller”
which was a different story every week and just took you to the right side of
scariness leaving a lot to the imagination.
It seems strange that the term Gaslighting we use in our modern day
language comes from this play. To manipulate someone into distrusting their
own perceptions so much so that they start to believe that they cannot trust
their own thoughts is obviously not a new concept. Well this was exactly
what was delivered in this play. Both Bella and Jack were so believable. Not
easy characters to portray and given you are trying to deliver a gothic
melodrama which could have easily been sent up just by taking it to the
Hammer Horror level, but you both played them for real. This was the
success of the play. You hit just the right level.
I really must commend the actors all round. This was of a very high standard.
No weak links in this cast. It felt extremely well rehearsed and that the most
had been made of your time in the rehearsal room. For a first night it felt very
settled and everyone was so comfortable in their parts.
I must congratulate the Director too for creating just the right pace and
atmosphere, you really took us back in time. The audience were very
engaged - you could have heard a pin drop during certain suspenseful times.
From the program it looks like the costumes were hired and I must say were
of excellent quality. It was nice to see that everything fitted so perfectly. Hats
off to the set design and construction team on building a superb set. You
created terrific acting areas that gave plenty of room for manoeuvre and free
acting. We had no doubt where we were, or did we?

I’ve been trying to fathom why the set change between act one and two,
were you trying to gaslight us the audience that was my only solution and if
so, quite clever. My only other question were the flickering of the gas lights.
From seeing the play the explanation is the fact Jack comes back into the
house upstairs and uses the gas lamps which makes the downstairs lamp
dim so I’m just wondering why the flickering when Jack was actually in the
room Was this just added drama? The red light at the table when Sergeant
Rough came in to see Bella also had me in a quandary. It felt like she was
having a meeting with the devil, but actually he was her saviour or was that
the question you wanted us to ask ourselves? I’m sure you had very good
reasons for doing what you do. It just needs to be made quite clear to the
audience and of course this is only my opinion and I do enjoy having
something to think about so thank you for that.
I must say this was a most enjoyable night at the theatre and I’m sure the rest
of the audience agreed with me.

Bella Manningham
What a first rate actress, you really had us believing everything you portrayed.
Your look was perfect. We really saw your vulnerability especially in your
scenes with Jack. I felt the two of you had really worked hard on your scenes.
It was a terrific contrast when at the end you came into your own and we saw
that strength and confidence come through. We were so on your side and
willing you to come through strong.

Jack Manningham
This was a very dark villainous complex character to portray. I must say you
did it extremely well. You played him for real never going into “Hammer
Horror mode” which made him so believable. Your scenes with Bella I felt
were extremely well rehearsed and as a couple you both became very real
you always getting the upper hand right until the end. You were very good at
showing the Jekyl and Hyde sides to your character, dangling those tickets to
Bella which you knew she would love but then taking them away when you
try to convince her she is mad as her mother once was. You had us just on
the right side of feeling uncomfortable watching.

Sergeant Rough
A very welcome character who came in suddenly and lightened the mood. So
it was you that held the key to the answers from years before. You had some
nice comic lines which you handled with great timing. I loved the suggestion
of medicine and then producing the flask of whiskey. Your scenes with Bella
were set at a good pace and was maintained throughout.

Nancy/Elizabeth

Both gave very strong performances and again very believable in their roles.
Well done Nancy on saving the day when the bell string fell off the wall, you
obviously realised how much it was needed further down the line and
corrected it very well. Nancys impudence came through and made the most
of your scenes with Jack whilst Elizabeth was very much on Bella’s side and
wanting her mistress to come out on top and played her part well to achieve
this.

All in all this was a great team effort. A play that was extremely well rehearsed
and I’m sure everyone behind the scenes deserve a mention as you were all
apart of the smooth running of this play. Costumes hair and makeup were all
extremely well done and took us to the era faultlessly.
Thank you for the invite and a great nights entertainment. One that the
audience enjoyed very much and gave everybody something to think about
on their way home. Good work.
Until the next time.
Best wishes
Mike.

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