New adaptations shed a slightly different light on classic tales such as Gaslight, being staged at the Chemainus Theatre April 28-May 28.
The 1944 movie based on the 1938 play by Patrick Hamilton later renamed Angel Street and starring Charles Boyer and Ingrid Bergman is well-known, but thereB次元官网网址檚 also a British movie from 1940 that more closely resembles the play.
An adaptation written by Johnna Wright and Patty Jamieson is what the Chemainus Theatre audience will see and it paints a slightly different picture with a heroine finding her way.
The plot involves Bella Manningham believing sheB次元官网网址檚 living an idyllic married life with her charming husband Jack. But items disappear, pictures move and the gaslight dims while Bella worries sheB次元官网网址檚 losing her grip on reality and will drive Jack away. Secrets from the past reveal themselves, as Bella searches for answers in the classic thriller.
The new adaptation premiered at the Shaw Festival Theatre in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario last year.
Ben Sanders, who portrays Jack in the Chemainus production, was in the workshop of the show before it premiered at the Shaw Festival.
B次元官网网址淭hese playwrights have looked at this story that people are familiar with from a modern perspective, but are true to the period,B次元官网网址� noted Sanders.
The power of a woman is enhanced and B次元官网网址渨hat if we re-examine the story with that in mind?B次元官网网址� he added.
Sanders has nothing but great things to say about the other members of the cast B次元官网网址� Nyiri Karakas as Bella, Erin Ormond as Elizabeth and Jenaya Barker as Nancy plus the work of director Sarah Rodgers and the amazing creative team in Chemainus.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 such a jewel, a beautiful theatre,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 was blown away with what the craft people are doing and the set people. The quality of the work theyB次元官网网址檙e doing easily rivals the stuff IB次元官网网址檓 seeing on American sets.B次元官网网址�
Sanders grew up in the country near London, Ont. B次元官网网址淚 was like a farm kid who didnB次元官网网址檛 fit in on the farm,B次元官网网址� he quipped.
Sanders eventually turned to acting and has numerous television and theatre roles to his credit. Astute viewers of the popular CBC-TV series Murdoch Mysteries will know Sanders from his recent appearance in the 2023 season finale as Detective Edwards, who takes over for Inspector Thomas Brackenreid.
B次元官网网址淗e seemed like a nice guy at first,B次元官网网址� Sanders said of his role as Edwards.
HeB次元官网网址檒l be putting those character traits to good use as Jack in Gaslight.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 such a beautifully-constructed mystery,B次元官网网址� Sanders added.
With all of his TV projects that also included Frankie Drake Mysteries, B次元官网网址淚 have been more or less away from theatre for a few years,B次元官网网址� he indicated. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 very thrilling for me to get back to the stage.B次元官网网址�
ItB次元官网网址檚 his first time in Chemainus and a long time coming.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been out to the Island when I was 18 and I thought it was like heaven on Earth,B次元官网网址� Sanders confided.
Karakas is also performing in Chemainus for the first time.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a company IB次元官网网址檝e had my eyes on for a couple of years,B次元官网网址� she enthused. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 really grateful and excited to be here, working on this show particularly.B次元官网网址�
Karakas is from Vancouver, born and raised on the North Shore. She made a significant career change after taking political science at Western University in London, Ont. and then obtaining her masters in public policy at Wilfred Laurier.
In 2017, Karakas went to East 15 Acting School in London, England and graduated from the masters program.
B次元官网网址淎fter that, I moved to Toronto and worked there for a couple of years,B次元官网网址� she said.
During the pandemic, Karakas moved back to Vancouver but did two gigs in Toronto last year.
Gaslight will be her second show in B.C. this year after appearing in Sense and Sensibility at the Arts Club in Vancouver.
Everything about the role of Bella appeals to Karakas.
B次元官网网址淗er character has a very strong part in the piece,B次元官网网址� she noted. B次元官网网址淪he sort of goes through a metamorphosis.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 challenging in that thereB次元官网网址檚 a significant change that happens in the character throughout the piece. I find that exciting as an actor. I think itB次元官网网址檚 a great piece for the community in Chemainus. It was well-received at the Shaw Festival.B次元官网网址�
Karakas likes how different directors bring a unique perspective to the piece and thatB次元官网网址檚 certainly the case here with Rodgers.
A Christmas In Wales and A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur were previously directed in Chemainus by Rodgers. Doing Gaslight is a pleasure.
B次元官网网址淢y mother was a huge Ingrid Bergman fan,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲e would watch it every year it was on television. So I grew up with this beautiful film.B次元官网网址�
The new adaptation speaks to the timing of the piece now, Rodgers added.
B次元官网网址淭his woman is being B次元官网网址榞aslitB次元官网网址� by her husband. There is a double meaning to it. He (Hamilton) didnB次元官网网址檛 create the term in the way we use it today. He was using it for a suspenseful effect in the play.B次元官网网址�
Ironically, Rodgers pointed out, the term B次元官网网址榞aslightB次元官网网址� was the word of the year in 2022, defined as B次元官网网址渢he act or practice of grossly misleading someone especially for oneB次元官网网址檚 own advantage.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚snB次元官网网址檛 that amazing this play written in 1938 and in 2022 that word would become the word of the year,B次元官网网址� Rodgers indicated.
So everything old is new again in many ways, much to RodgersB次元官网网址� enjoyment.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e having a wonderful time,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 have an amazing cast and an incredible design team. ItB次元官网网址檚 so exciting to be creating this British/Victorian home and itB次元官网网址檚 a lavish and fun set.B次元官网网址�
Gaslight comes with an age recommendation of 14+ due to adult themes, scenes of violence, loud noises, strobe lighting effects and depictions of psychological abuse (gaslighting) that may be triggering to some audience members.
Click for ticket information.
REVIEW:
don.bodger@chemainusvalleycourier.ca
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