DORSET — The Dorset Theatre Festival has opened its 49th summer season with “Deceived,” an adaptation of Patrick Hamilton’s 1938 classic thriller, “Gaslight.” Directed by the incomparable Jackson Gay, this version at the historic Dorset Playhouse offers audiences a masterclass in tension, psychological manipulation, and ultimate female empowerment.
The term “gaslighting” — the act of psychologically manipulating someone into questioning their own sanity — is firmly rooted in Hamilton’s original plot. Yet, adapters Johnna Wright and Patty Jamieson have breathed new life into the narrative, providing the beleaguered protagonist with more agency than in previous iterations, molding the script into a thriller of survival and empowerment.
Set in fog-bound, claustrophobic 1901 London, the play centers on recently married couple Bella (Caitlin Clouthier) and Jack (Lucas Dixon). They have rented an elegant, period-rich home that comes with its own secrets, a long-time housekeeper, Elizabeth (Kelly McAndrew), and a newly hired maid, Nancy (Ellen Grace Diehl).
At first, Bella is a waifish young woman who seems to struggle with her memory and emotional stability. She regularly misplaces household items and experiences unsettling occurrences: dimming lights, whispers in empty rooms, and phantom footsteps pacing above the ceiling.
Jack deals with his seemingly erratic wife using a blend of Victorian-era condescension, clinical concern, and subtle detachment. Hoping to prevent her from going the way of her mother — who succumbed to mental illness — he enforces periods of rest and strictly manages her daily reality.
However, as terrifying incidents within the house escalate, Bella is forced to question whether she is truly losing her mind, or if her charming husband is deliberately trying to drive her to the brink. As her dread compounds, she must hold onto her sanity and uncover the dark truth before it’s too late.
From the opening curtain, director Gay adeptly paces her actors, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. As such, the tension in this production succeeds brilliantly due to the deeply committed performances of its cast.
As Bella, Clouthier delivers a powerhouse performance. She captures the terrifying, isolating vulnerability of a woman having her reality chipped away, all while displaying a fierce, simmering resilience that rises to the surface. Clouthier beautifully arcs Bella from trembling to truth.
Opposite her, Dixon brings chilling charm and insidious complexity as Jack. Dixon walks the razor-thin line between a doting, concerned husband and a malicious manipulator. Jack’s quiet, dangerous energy casts a palpable shadow on all of us, really, making his psychological warfare deeply uncomfortable and completely believable to witness.
Equally crucial, McAndrew brings genuine warmth and a fierce protective instinct as Elizabeth. Serving as Bella’s vital lifeline, McAndrew provides the play with its heart, and grounding moral compass. Likewise, Diehl’s portrayal as Nancy, is wonderfully nuanced, projecting an entitled, disruptive and suggestive air that continually fuels the atmosphere of suspicion and doubt within the household.
As we have come to expect over the years, shows at Dorset are bolstered by the stellar work of its production crews, who in “Deceived” ensure that the psychological dread is physically mirrored by the environment.
Scenic designer Riw Rakkulchon has crafted a beautifully moody, Victorian sitting room that effectively traps the characters in their own dark web. Fabian Fidel Aguilar’s costumes are appropriately layered and period-accurate, contrasting Jack’s rigid respectability with Bella’s initial waifishness. Furthermore, Seth Reiser’s atmospheric lighting and Daniel Baker’s chilling sound design work hand-in-hand to heighten the suspense, effectively externalizing Bella’s internal paranoia.
Rod Kinter’s fight direction ensures that the physical confrontations feel perilous and grounded, while Avery Trunko’s expert production stage management holds this complex apparatus together with seamless precision. The casting director is New York City stage and TV industry stalwart, Joe Gery.
The show runs for about 2 hours, which includes a 15-minute intermission.
Indeed, adaptations can be tricky, especially when considering the original story has evolved into a modern-day classic to the point that it added a key phrase to our vernacular. And so, in a theater landscape where genuine suspense can be hard to come by on stage, Dorset Theatre Festival’s “Deceived” ranks as an absolute triumph. It blends classic Gothic thrills with a contemporary, empowering perspective.
With its inspired performances and stellar technical backing, this adaptation proves that Patrick Hamilton’s chilling tale of psychological assault is just as relevant and captivating today as it was nearly a century ago. Which is enough reason to call the Dorset box office, secure your ticket, make the beautiful summer drive to the Northshire, and reward yourself with a matchless evening of suspenseful entertainment.
“Deceived,” adapted by Johnna Wright and Patty Jamieson from Patrick Hamilton’s “Gaslight,” is directed by Jackson Gay, and runs through July 4 at Dorset Theatre Festival, 104 Cheney Rd., Dorset. For tickets, call 802-867-2223, x101, or visit dorsettheatrefestival.org
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