Gas Light is a 1938 play penned by British dramatist Patrick Hamilton that tells the story of a couple whose relationship is questioned by an outsider. Set in London in 1880, the play takes place within the home of Jack and Bella. Bella believes she is going insane, while Jack’s unexplained disappearances only fuel the problem. Following the arrival of a police detective, questions begin to arise. The play, as well as its film’s adaptations, gave rise to the term ‘gaslighting’; that is, “a form of psychological abuse in which false information is presented to the victim with the intent of making him/her doubt his/her own memory and perception”. Gas Light has a solid run at GPAC’s Woodbin Theatre, kicking off July 4. Play times and bookings can be found through gpac.org.au.
