GASLIGHT by Patrick Hamilton (Mirvish). At the Ed Mirvish Theatre (244 Victoria). Runs to February 28. $35-$119. 416-872-1212. See listing. Rating: NN
Patrick Hamiltons 1938 melodrama might have terrified theatregoers back in the day, but the only thing a contemporary viewer will get from this UK import are a few chuckles and cynical eye rolls.
The dusty plot, familiar to those whove seen the superior Ingrid Bergman/Charles Boyer film, is pretty simple. In Victorian-era London, Bella Manningham (Flora Montgomery) is gradually being convinced that shes going mad by her stern, judgmental husband, Jack (Owen Teale).
When a policeman (Ian McElhinney) arrives to tell Bella that he suspects Jack is tricking her to get at some lost jewels hidden in the house (sigh… dont ask), the two do some investigating, which consists of opening a couple of locked drawers and, when Jack returns, hiding behind a wardrobe.
There are many gaps in the story, which a modern playwright might fill in. What drugs is Jack forcing on Bella? Why do Bella and the maid Elizabeth (Victoria Lennox) immediately trust the cop when he shows up?
As if he knows that the script itself wont induce chills, director David Gilmore tries to raise the stakes by adding low rumbling noises during supposedly suspenseful scenes, but these merely make you wonder whether the characters are experiencing an earthquake.
At least the performances are okay. Teale, trading in his heavy Game Of Thrones garb for more distinguished attire, is believably threatening, his voice dripping with disdain. Hes the archetypal abuser.
Montgomery has the tougher role of playing a woman whos not sure if shes losing her mind, and shes fine. So is McElhinney, who, despite a couple of comic lines about his wardrobe, mostly gets to impart information. And look for Emily Head to steal some scenes as a saucy, mischievous young maid.
David Woodheads set nicely evokes a Victorian drawing room, with sensitive, moody lighting by Howard Hudson. But unlike film, which can get up close and make your spine tingle, here theres simply not enough to look at for two and a half hours.
