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Rupert Young as the cruel Jack Manningham with Kara Tointon as his wife Bella. GaslightMalvern Theatres
***** GONE are the days when your lights dim
because someone switches on the lights elsewhere in the house However, in the home of Jack and Bella Manningham
in North London in the 1870s such clues are part of the unravelling of
the murderer. As the programme notes
indicate
Gaslight
is a direct descendent of the Victorian melodrama. The dramatic sense of
a beautiful and innocent female at the mercy of a vicious threat that is
closing in upon her is presented with a fascinating mixture of thrilling
intensity and gentle send-up. The stylised performance from the character of
Rough especially, and some of the melodramatic stage effects, invite
occasional laughter from the audience without detracting from the
gripping moments in the play. Patrick Hamilton wrote ‘Gaslight’ in 1938 but the
play depicts a family in a society where women were pretty much the
property of their husbands. Jack Manningham treats his wife Bella with
patronising disdain and is driving her towards insanity as he
manipulates her cruelly and plays tricks on her. His pursuit of hidden
or lost treasure and his hidden backstory begin to be exposed by the
arrival of a somewhat eccentric visitor called Rough. Victorian bustle dresses and men in tailcoats in
an elegant drawing room establish a lovely atmosphere for the drama to
unfold. Bella is played beautifully by Kara Tointon and
is the centre of the action. From the outset her gait and her slightly
eccentric mannerisms indicate a sensitive and vulnerable character who
nonetheless has winsome charm and warmth. Her performance is wonderfully modulated and
controlled. She has an excellent, strong and clear voice that ensures we
hear every word. Her character develops through the play and in the
final scene she reveals real bite! Her performance is brilliant. Rupert Young plays her aggressive husband Jack.
He has a great stage presence with his height and stentorian voice.
Again excellent diction combines with elegant costume. Initially he
seems to be kind towards his confused and troubled wife, but very soon
his sharp and venomous side appears as he orders her around the house
and threatens her with punishments for a missing shopping receipt. Keith Allen’s performance as Rough provides a
lovely balance to the married couple. His slightly sharp but eccentric
manner provides a significant element of humour. Quickly the initial
element of threat he brings becomes something comforting and reassuring. The housekeeper and the maid are nicely
contrasted. Helen Anderson has an appropriate measure of dignity in her
role, whereas Charlotte Blackledge is wonderfully saucy and insolent. The lighting effects and the music contribute
significantly to a very atmospheric production. The contributions of the
technical team are excellent and enhance the show in subtle ways. The
director has managed the pace of the show very well: the timing of the
actors’ lines and pauses are perfectly controlled. ‘Gaslight’ is a great show and thoroughly
entertaining. To 04-03-17. Tim Crow 27-02-17 |
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