Jack Manningham (Andrew Govey) psychologically torments his wife Bella (Emma Shaw) in the Victorian thriller Gaslight at Wanneroo’s Limelight Theatre.
Camera IconJack Manningham (Andrew Govey) psychologically torments his wife Bella (Emma Shaw) in the Victorian thriller Gaslight at Wanneroo’s Limelight Theatre. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Gaslight at Limelight

Tyler BrownWanneroo Times

Written by Patrick Hamilton and directed by Kingsley resident Karen Tropiano, Gaslight is set in 1880 and focuses on the Manninghams.

Suave Jack Manningham – played by Ocean Reef’s Andrew Govey – is slowly psychologically torturing his wife Bella into insanity.

When Inspector Rough visits her, he convinces her that Jack is a maniacal criminal wanted for a murder committed 15 years ago.

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Bella then gains confidence in herself, as she works with the inspector to build up evidence against her husband.

Govey said he had never had the opportunity to play a character like Jack Manningham.

“His appearance and suave persona belie his real self and personal ambition,” he said.

“He is dangerous, cruel and manipulative and motivated solely by personal gain.”

Also starring in the show is Quinns Rocks resident Ellie Bawden who plays the Manninghams’ 19-year-old housemaid Nancy.

“She’s quite a cheeky character who likes to consider herself an equal to the couple she works for, as opposed to someone of a lower class,” she said.

“It will be great to see how she affects the relationships between other characters.”

Tropiano said she chose to stage Gaslight because she wanted to do something that would appeal to the Limelight Theatre audience.

“It’s a well-known classic and most would remember the film starring Ingrid Bergman and Charles Boyer made in the 1940s,” she said.

THE ESSENTIALS

What: Gaslight

When: 8pm, March 31, April 1, 2, 7-9, 14-16

Where: Limelight Theatre, Wanneroo

Tickets: $21 or $18 concession on 0499 954 016 or at www.limelighttheatre.com