GASLIGHT is a mystery thriller with psychological twists! A detailed Victorian set, exquisite period costumes, wonderful original music and superb acting make this vintage play great fun. If you like Agatha Christie and Alfred Hitchcock, this the play is for you. If not, go anyway just for the superb acting.
The play was first performed in London in 1938. It was a hit. It was made into a film in 1944, starring Ingrid Bergman. It was so popular that the word ‘gaslight’ became part of the common vernacular. To ‘gaslight’ means to manipulate someone into thinking they are going insane by using psychological methods. Yes, it’s in the dictionary.
The setting is a Victorian house where the newly married couple lives. The house is lit by gaslights. These lights dim when other lights in the house are turned on. In the play, the lights mysterious dim from time to time, frightening the wife. The rest of the household claim they don’t notice the dimming. That’s the first hint that someone may be manipulating her. Will Bella, the beautiful wife, collapse into a helpless lost soul, or will she discover the truth, find her power and overpower her tormentor? Or is it tormentors? Is it the husband, the maid, the housekeep, all of them or none of them? The clues are dealt to the audience slowly and ingeniously. The audience hangs onto every word.
GASLIGHT was written by Patrick Hamilton and adapted for the Queensland Theatre Company by Johanna Wright and Patty Jamieson. The co-producers areNewtheatricals, Marriner Group, TEG and Queensland Theatre.
The director is Lee Lewis. The actors are Geraldine Hakewill as the beautiful wife. Toby Schmitz is the devoted husband, Kate Fitzpatrick the loyal housekeeper and Courtney Cavallaro the new maid. All four are outstanding performers. Full marks to the designers: Renee Mulder (costumes), Paul Jackson (lighting), Paul Charlier(original music and sound).
This is big, fancy show. If murder mysteries are your thing, you absolutely must seeGaslight. If it’s not, you might change your mind if you go!
GASLIGHT is playing the Ros Packer Theatre in the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct until September 8
https://gaslightplay.com.au/tickets/sydney/
