Gaslight

‘Gaslight’ is a thriller, written 70 years ago by Patrick Hamilton. The latest production from the Old Mill Theatre in South Perth, it is showing until 25^th October.

         The location is the front room of a reasonably well-to-do house in London in the 1880s. The owner, Jack Manningham (Robert Whyte), is a bullying, philandering husband whom seems to get great pleasure from taunting his loving, delicate wife Bella (Mia Martin). Bella’s mother died in a madhouse ‘with little brain left’ and poor Bella is certain that she is destined for the same fate.

         There are two servants, the elderly dedicated Elizabeth (Rosemary Longhurst) and young flighty, yet slightly mysterious, Nancy (Dannielle Ashton).

         One evening when the master of the house is out visiting friends, Detective Rough arrives and asks to see the Mrs Manningham. Although retired, when the caring Detective Rough has a bee in his bonnet, he won’t rest until the problem has been cleared up.

Although there is one murder in the story, this is really more of a psychological thriller. The script captures the chauvinistic era well, and has the audience wondering if what is obvious is in fact true.

The curtains opened slowly (how rarely one sees a simple act like this used to effect) to gradually reveal the dimly lit room – and the smell of fresh paint, the set being finished only hours before. The décor was probably the best I have seen for a community production in many a year (Hywel Williams and Tim Prosser), so it was little wonder that there was a round of applause before even a word was spoken. The props and soft furnishing (Julie Cecchi and Tina Wilton) made the room truly lived-in! It was obvious that a great deal of thought had gone into the costumes (Jenny Prosser) which were correct for the period. The crux of the play depended upon the gas lighting, and the John Spurling’s ambience was authentic.

Director, Sally Barendse, had already shown the strength of her production team and now with a superb cast, each and everyone outstanding, the show just took off. I am sure that this talented cast, will not mind me giving a special mention of Mia as the downtrodden, demented mistress of the house.

A fairly simple story but riveting. Quality and magnificent.