As the stage lights come up, we enter the living room on Angel Street, in Victorian London. Big Ben signals the end of another day, and we meet Jack and Bella Manningham.
It is not long before the audience learns this is not a happy home. Bella is slowly losing her mind under the mental turmoil for which her husband is wholly responsible.
Main Street Theater in downtown Belton has selected Angel Street for its fall mystery play, running September 5-7 and 19-28.
The play is commonly called Gaslight, referring to the lighting of homes in that day. Gaslighting has become a term used in modern days to represent a form of psychological manipulation where you mislead someone into questioning their own sanity.
The play was written by Patrick Hamilton in 1939. The story was quickly adapted by MGM and featured the acting of Charles Boyer, Ingrid Bergman, and Joseph Cotton. A 19 year old Angela Lansbury performed in Gaslight — her first film, for which she was nominated for an Oscar.
Main Street Theater is located at 510 Main Street, Belton, and features local thespians. From set builders, lighting and sound design, properties, costumes, etc., all the artists are from the greater Kansas City area.
Performances are Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm, and Sunday matinees at 2:30.
Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors, youth under 18 and college students. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 816-406-9422. Leave a message, and your call will be returned to confirm.
Doors open 40 minutes before curtain. Seating is first come first served; however, groups are seated together. Concessions are available for purchase.
Learn more at mainstreettheaterbelton.com.