Based on Patrick Hamilton’s play, Angel Street, and adapted for modern audiences by Johnna Wright and Patty Jamieson... Gaslight- directed by Thom Curie, tells the dark tale of marriage involving a deeply troubled woman... though her troubles may be more real than she realizes. The play is set in 1880s London, England and the original Hamilton play premiered at the Richmond Theatre in that same city.
Wright and Jamieson’s version is now here at Thunder Bay’s own Magnus Theatre to kick off the 2024-2025 season. Magnus’ production of the show truly demonstrates the theatre’s capabilities and sets a high bar for the rest of the season.
Gaslight’s set is immaculate and takes full advantage of Magnus’ recently renovated space. Curie credits the brilliance of the set to Adam Parboosingh, the show’s set designer.
“It’s one of those things where, because we’re a professional regional theatre, we have to bring the best designers that we can afford. The best that we can bring here to Thunder Bay,” Curie said.
The set- coupled with Kirsten Watt’s lighting and Lisa Macchione’s costumes seamlessly transported the audience to the setting, even if some jewellery was unable to withstand the action on stage.
With all but one actor very familiar with the Magnus stage, the entire cast was very comfortable in throwing themselves through the action... though a few false starts did prove to be a bit of a distraction for the audience.
Laura Del Papa plays leads as Bella, the shows protagonist. Del Papa is always a welcome sight to see grace the stage. Her portrayal of a woman desperate to prove that she has not gone mad was excellent, largely due to her obvious willingness to throw her all into every part she plays.
Olivia McInnis took to the stage as Nancy, the newest household maid, Mcinnis played her character well and brought a special sort of attention to the seemingly unassuming Nancy.
Despite multiple retirement attempts, Jo-Ann Waytowich is still answering the call of the stage and bringing her character’s to life. Her portrayal of Elizabeth, the household’s head maid was an audience favourite... and her skill with a skillet is nothing to be sneezed at as well.
And last but not definitely not least, it takes a great actor to make an audience love their character, it takes just as much talent to make them hate them. Jamie Mac, who also directed the fighting, is exceptional at both. Gaslight is Mac’s Magnus debut and we all hope to see much more of him either on stage or behind the scenes in the shows to come.
Overall the play was a brilliant step into darker and more thrilling themes for Magnus and barring a few small incidents- of which the cast recovered remarkably well... the play is definitely a must-see. One Audience member in particular, Christine Blake definitely recommends it.
“We were invited by friends of ours and it was just a fantastic evening, a fantastic cast, a fantastic storyline, and you just wanted to see what was going to happen next,” she said
If Gaslight is a sign of what’s to come from Magnus, I can’t wait to see what this season has to offer.
9/10
