Gaslight

The beautiful and elegant Bella should have everything to live for – recently married with a dashing husband Jack, a substantial home equipped with the latest invention, gas lights, and two servants on hand.

Yet the seeds of chaos are never far away. Precious items such as her mother’s pearls have going missing, with her husband eating away at her confidence, calling into question her grip on reality.

Is she going mad or is she being manipulated?

In the first act there is the ominous threat that Bella will be interned into a mental asylum, the same fate which has befallen her mother.

It reaches a crescendo when thee couple attend a dinner party. Jack (Toby Schmitz) swoons at the dress Bella (Geraldine Hakewell) is wearing. She looks forward to introducing her husband to her friends. What could go wrong?

The term gaslight was coined by this play’s success in the 1930s, of course meaning to tell a lie. The subtle manipulation of the gas lights is a tool used to cast doubt on Bella’s perception of reality.

The original play, which ran for over 1200 performances on Broadway, involves a white knight coming to rescue Bella.

This new adaptation by Johnna Wright and Patty Jamieson poses the question, what if the leading lady has to rescue herself?

The new twist excited Director Lee Lewis, then artistic director of Queensland Theatre, to stage it in the company’s program,  and Sydney is the final destination of its national tour by New Theatricals.

It’s part of a pleasing renaissance of commercial productions of plays around Australia.

Gaslight has a strong acting ensemble. Schmitz (who I caught having a cigarette near the stage door on the way into the theatre) oozes charm and menace. Hakewell is glamorous and vulnerable.

The other two characters Kate Fitzpatrick, the chief servant Elizabeth, and Courtney Cavallaro, the maid Nancy, deliciously add intrigue and attitude into the unfolding drama.

The set, lighting and costumes nicely place the story in late 19^th century London.

Domestic abuse and manipulation sadly is a story that won’t go away and almost 100 years after it was first written Gaslight remains a gripping and relevant play.   

David Spicer

Images: Brett Boardman Photography