Gaslight

The play Gaslight is a Victorian thriller where a husband, Jack Manningham, psychologically manipulates his wife, Bella, to make her believe she is going insane. While he is out, a detective named Rough arrives and suspects Manningham of a past crime. The play follows as the detective helps Bella regain her confidence and uncover her husband's sinister true identity, leading to her eventual revenge.  

Produced in the Swan Theatre studio, the action takes place in the living room on the second floor of a four- storey house in Victorian London. The set is impressive and the sound effects and lighting add to the mysterious atmosphere. Both Manningham and his wife Bella are sitting silently on the set as the audience enters.

The standard of acting by both Mr Manningham (Steve Willis) and Bella Manningham (Jenna Rodway) is quite excellent; Willis’s dialogue is measured, at times creepy and he is frequently cruel to Bella in persuading her she is absent-minded implying insanity. Rodway is equally superb, tortured by his accusations of loosing things of which she has no recollection. At one point Bella is elated when Manningham suggests they go to the theatre, but later this is scotched when other accusations are made.

Elizabeth the cook / housekeeper is called to put coal on the fire, something Bella is quite happy to do, but Manningham scolds Bella for such a thought. Elizabeth is played well by Michelle Whitfield who carries out her duties as you would expect with respect. Nancy however, the maid, played equally well by Gemma Matthews, has an issue with Bella who is humiliated by her and feels Nancy is laughing behind her back. We later learn that Nancy and Manningham are having an affair.   

When Manningham is out, a retired policeman Rough enters and initially Bella is perturbed that he does not explain why he is there. Martin Bourne creates further mystery and atmosphere well with his measured dialogue and explains that even after 20 years he is still pursuing the killer of a lady that actually lived in the house the Manninghams now occupy, together with some missing jewellery.

Further twists and turns follow as all the missing items are found in Manningham’s locked bureau including the jewels that even Manningham did not appreciate were within touching distance and eventually Rough confronts Manningham with all the evidence of his wrong doing. With the help of the local constabulary (Chris Harper) Manningham is arrested!

This was a well directed production by Jane Lush with great atmosphere and tension that was well received by an appreciative audience and I really enjoyed it as well. STAC’s production will also be staged at the Coach House Theatre, Malvern on 19-22 November at 7.30pm and well worth a ticket.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.