Gaslight
After its success as a theatre production in London, Patrick Hamilton’s 1928 Victorian Thriller, Gaslight, was made into a movie in England followed by a filming in 1944 in Hollywood starring Ingrid Bergman, Charles Boyer, Joseph Cotton and 19-year old Angela Lansbury in her first movie. Kudos to Producer/Director Charlie Mount of Theatre West for selecting this electrifying play as the theatre’s first production of the 2009/10 Season.
Set in 1880, in the living room of a home in London (set by Jeff G. Rack), the story is about young Bella Manningham (Corinne Shor) who is completely dominated by her husband Jack (John Cygan). It appears that Bella is having a problem, mysteriously losing things, finding pictures missing from the walls, seeing the gaslights dimming as she hears footsteps in the upstairs of the house (where she is forbidden to ever enter). Her husband Jack has no patience with her seemingly mental problems and accuses her of going insane, leaving her nightly as he goes out on the town. Bella sits alone convincing herself that she is losing her mind since her mother went insane before her death. She also believes that Nancy (Emily Bridges), one of the young household maids, dislikes her and seems to be eyeing Jack. Fortunately, Bella has one person she can trust, her housekeeper Elizabeth (Mary Garripoli) who seems to be aware of Mr. Manningham’s cruelty towards his wife.
An unexpected gentleman, Inspector Rough (Don Moss) arrives at the house on one of those evenings when Mr. Manningham is away. Though Bella tries to get rid of him, the longer he stays and explains the reasons for his visit, she is finally convinced of his purpose in coming. She is made aware of the fact that her husband is a criminal who murdered a woman in the same house where they are living and that he has been persecuting her by arranging the mysterious happenings in the house in order to get rid of her as well. Finally Inspector Rough uncovers the evidence he has needed to solve a case he has worked on for fifteen years.
The role of Bella Manningham is performed with perfection by Corrine Shor, in showing fear of her husband; John Cygan is chilling as Jack Manningham (enough to frighten anyone). Emily Bridges proves that Nancy isn’t afraid of Mr. Manningham when she tries to come on strong to him. And Mary Garripoli is a charming, loyal and helpful housekeeper. Don Moss, who adds some lightness in this heavy drama, as Inspector Rough proves his talent as somewhat of a comedian as well as a fine actor (stepping into the roll less than three weeks before opening)! Lighting design is by Yancey Dunham.
Gaslight will play Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. through Sept. 27, 2009.
Theatre West
333 Cahuenga Blvd. West
Hollywood, CA
Reservations and information: (323) 851-7977 Online tickets (www.theatrewest.org)