In the 1940s, Hollywood seemed awash in films that can be grouped as psychological thrillers. There were variations on the plot, but essentially the films all portrayed a sheltered and sensitive young woman married to an older man who tries to manipulate her into believing she is descending into madness. The man may be emotionally disturbed or, more likely, up to criminal intent. Probably the most famous example of a psychological thriller is Gaslight, which won Ingrid Bergman an Oscar for her performance as the psychologically abused wife.

Brittany Bellizeare

Patrick Hamilton’s 1938 play, Gas Light (now known as Gaslight) is set in Victorian England, when the use of gas to light a room was a new innovation; thus, when the gas was lit in one part of the house, the light level dipped briefly in other parts, a technical detail that provides a crucial plot point. Originally three acts, the play has seen many adaptations with various titles, but is known best from George Cukor’s 1944 silver-screen masterpiece (with a 17-year-old Angela Lansbury in her film debut), which took three writers–John Van Druten, Walter Reisch, and John L. Balderston–to get it right. The Old Globe is staging an updated revival of this drama by playwrights Johnna Wright and Patty Jamieson.

Maggie Carney as Elizabeth and Kennedy Tolson as Nancy

Deceived takes place in 1901 London in the middle-class home occupied by Jack and his young wife, Bella. Mysterious occurrences have been disrupting the life of the household for weeks, especially at night, and Jack suggests Bella could be suffering from mental issues that could require her to be institutionalized. Bella is frantic until she figures out that Jack is the real force behind the unexplained occurrences. The husband wants Bella out of the way while he searches for a collection of valuable jewels located somewhere in the house. This is not a whodunit mystery. Even early in the first act, most spectators should recognize that Bella is being set up by her husband.

Brittany Bellizeare, Travis Van Winkle, Maggie Carney, and Kennedy Tolson

Deceived is a worthwhile slice of melodrama, but viewers will need patience. The first act moves slowly and tentatively. Brittany Bellizeare‘s Bella and Travis Van Winkle‘s Jack don’t light many dramatic sparks, and the plot’s sinister element doesn’t show up until after intermission. Maggie Carnegie‘s Elizabeth plays a believable, loyal middle-aged housekeeper, but the youthful Kennedy Tolson has little to do as Nancy, the snippy maid, until late in the play, except to blatantly flirt with Jack, a breach of servant-master relationship that I doubt would be permitted in Victorian London. The character does have one potent scene late in the play before stalking out.

Brittany Bellizeare as Bella and Travis Van Winkle as Jack

Fortunately, the second act does raise the dramatic temperature. During the intermission, Bella somehow acquires a commanding manner that makes her a more interesting and credible character. She now recognizes that someone, namely her husband, is pulling a fast one on her, and she had better start standing tall in her own self-interest.

Travis Van Winkle and Maggie Carney

Wright and Jamieson have deleted a protective English detective from the previous versions and turned Bella loose on her husband solo. Jack realizes after a few minutes in the second act that all his treachery has been revealed.  Bella even laughs in Jack’s face when he pulls a gun on her. At the end, the audience cheered as Bella and Elizabeth tied the struggling Jack to a couch. Sweet revenge for the good guy!

All the action has been compressed into one realistic Victorian interior with an open rear passageway enclosing the circular stage, designed by Paige Hathaway. Nicole Jescinch Smith designed the period clothing, and Bryan Ealey designed the atmospheric sound effects. Delicia Turner Sonnenberg directs the production.

photos by Jim Cox
poster artwork by Ben Wiseman

Deceived
Old Globe’s Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre
1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park
Tues-Thurs at 7; Fri at 8; Sat at 2 & 8; Sun at 2 & 7
ends on September 7, 2025
for tickets, call 619.437.6000 or visit The Old Globe