Suspense and high drama in dark thriller

Patrick Hamilton’s Gaslight is subtitled a ‘Victorian thriller’ which studies domestic abuse, cruelty, manipulation and revenge in a darkly comic and unexpectedly moving manner.

First performed in London in 1938, Gaslight was an instant success which later opened in Broadway under the title Angel Street.

The 1944 film adaptation won Ingrid Bergman an Oscar in her starring role and featured Angela Lansbury in her screen debut as Nancy the maid.

Gaslight tells the story of Bella Manningham, who thinks she is going insane.

She keeps losing things and imagines she can hear someone moving about in the locked room at the top of the house when her husband is out.

Most strangely of all, the gaslight in her parlour seems to grow dim periodically for no apparent reason.

Mystery surrounds why her dashing husband Jack spends so much time away from the house and why he seems to delight in humiliating her in front of the domestic servants.

Is Bella really losing her wits or could there be a more sinister reason for the strange goings on?

Directed by Phil Reynolds, the Loft’s cast is led by Jo-Anne Ward as Bella, with Michael Barker as the devious Jack and John Smith, the artistic director of Rugby Theatre, making his Loft debut as the visitor Rough.

Helen Wall returns to the Loft stage as Elizabeth the housekeeper while Mary Kalunga-Eade, another debutante, brings the saucy and ambitious Nancy to life.

Mike Criswell’s atmospheric lighting and a dramatic original score from Darren Scott promise to add atmosphere to the dramatic chiller with a sting in its tail.

Performances take place at the Loft Theatre in Victoria Colonnade, Leamington, from Wednesday to Saturday January 22.

The theatre box office will be open on Monday and Tuesday from 6.45pm to 8.30pm and on each performance evening.

Tickets can also be booked by calling 0844 493 4938 or online at: