Review By Michelle Sutton
The original Gas Light written by Patrick Hamlton and premiering in 1938 is a 3-Act Victorian gothic horror that eventually led to the popular modern colloquial term “gaslighting; a verb meaning to manipulate someone into distrusting their own perceptions so much so that they start to believe they cannot trust their own thoughts. The term really entered popular consciousness a few years ago with the Me Too movement and is one of the behaviours that people associate with domestic and family violence. It is under this weight of legacy that Johnna Wright and Patty Jamieson’s new adaptation, Gaslight has emerged. The new play that is showing at Roslyn Packer Theatre has been modified into a more modern two-act structure with the elimination of some characters and a greater focus on the protagonist herself.
The set is appropriately grand and effectively evokes the era of the early 1900s and the sensibility of the upper class. The lighting design along with the music is meticulously crafted and executed to punctuate the melodrama and mystery of the play. Geraldine Hakewill plays the lead of Bella Manningham with sincerity and resolve. Toby Schmitz seems to be having the most fun on stage, playing Bella’s doting husband Jake Manningham. Schmitz keeps Bella, and the audience on their toes, with ever-changing mannerisms and suspicious far-roo-perfect devotion to his wife. The role of the housekeeper is played by Kate Fitzpatrick in a scene stealing performance. Fitzpatrick’s presence is grounding and fills the whole theatre. She is responsible for most of the gravitas and humour in the show. The cast also includes Courtney Cavallaro who plays Nancy the new rough-around-the-edges housemaid. Cavallaro’s part may be small but her sharpness and liveliness makes a refreshing impact every time she is onstage.
Although the first act runs a little long and becomes slightly repetitive, the second act is densely packed with nail-biting drama the entire way through. Lee Lewis’ direction shines through in the second act, with the mystery unravelling at a rapid pace. The evenly matched performances of Hakewill and Schmitz are one of the highlights of this production, and their talent is glorious displayed in a sparring match towards the end of the show when the mystery and the truth of their relationship is fully and satisfyingly revealed. There are a few moments in the show where you could truly have heard a pin drop as the audience all held their breath to see which character, Bella or Jack was going to break first. This response from the audience seems like the best evidence that Gaslight is triumphant in its aim to entertain and thrill.
Gaslight at Roslyn Packer Theatre is a tense and riveting thriller, sure to have you on the edge of your seat. The new play produced by Rodney Rigby has managed to successfully breathe new life and energy into a classic. I recommend it for anyone who enjoys a thrilling mystery and stellar performances of the highest quality.
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