Gaslight thrills Talisman audiences
Gaslight by Patrick Hamilton plays at The Talisman Theatre, Kenilworth from 2 November to 7 November 2026. Directed by Julien Rosa.
Review by Ann Evans
The Talisman Theatre take us into a gloomy Victorian parlour where Bella and her husband Jack Manningham are sleeping and a confusion of dreamlike voices are going around and around in Bella’s head. She awakes, startled and confused, terrified that she’s going out of her mind – like her mother, who died at her age in a lunatic asylum.
Bella is convinced she is going insane because her husband keeps telling her so. And because everything is getting so confusing. For example, he will give her something such as a bill to be paid, or a piece of jewellery, and it disappears – it’s not where she left it – and should it turn up in her drawer, she has no memory of putting it there.
Jack takes great pleasure in drumming it into her how patient and caring he is, and how concerned he is about her mental health. But who can blame him that his patience is wearing thin?
That morning things come to a head. To begin with he – rather condescendingly, agrees to take her to the theatre after humiliating her in front of the young maid Nancy (Alice Edwards). But then he notices a picture has gone from the wall. He blames Bella for taking it down which she denies fervently. It soon becomes a major issue and his temper flares.
Bella played by Juliet Swan Seaton who makes her debut at the Talisman is clearly devoted to her husband and would do anything to keep him happy. The role of Jack is played by Dean Sheridan who takes the part of this manipulating and controlling character extremely well. So much so that there is a real feeling of dread whenever he enters the room later in the play.
Another character is Elizabeth, the older maid, played by Elaine Freeborn, a kindly soul who cares about Bella, but while she sees what’s going on between her and Jack, is powerless to do much about it.
Jack’s control over his wife certainly has the desired effect on the audience seeing more than Bella does, and realising that she is indeed being gaslighted – as the phrase goes.
True to the play’s title, there are actual gaslights around the parlour of the Manningham’s London house, and they are vital to the story. These are turned on and off manually by the characters, but should another lamp be used in another part of the house – such as the attic where Bella often hears footsteps, the parlour lights will automatically dim. The Talisman's lighting technicians make good use of this to heighten the tension and suspense throughout this psychological thriller.
Then everything changes – Bella has a visitor when her husband is out. Inspector Rough played excellently by Dan Gough, brings another element into Bella’s confusion – is he a figment of her imagination, she wonders, or someone else intending to control her for his own means?
As the past is revealed to Bella, and she sees the danger she is in, the suspense and tension rise. The manner in which the director, Paris-born Julien Rosa takes us back to an incident in the past, is effective and shocking.
Good acting by all the cast from start to finish, especially the knife-edge interactions between Jack and Bella. No spoilers as to how this story concludes, except to say that you won't be disappointed!
Julien Rosa gives praise to the cast and crew in his Director's notes, which you can read in full on the Talisman website. He says: " “It’s a joy working with such a talented team, both cast and crew. Directing is such fun – trying to transpose and adapt what you’ve imagined in your head onto the stage is exhilarating. But working with great people, and creating a happy project together, for our audience, that’s what makes it a truly beautiful adventure.”
Enjoy this dark and thrilling psychological drama at the Talisman until Saturday 7 November. Box Office 01926 856548, or visit: https://talismantheatre.co.uk/
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