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Regional Reviews: Phoenix Deceived Also see Gil's reviews of Singin' in the Rain, Later Life and Caroline, or Change
Like the original play, the story centers on Bella, a woman who begins to question her own sanity as strange events unfold around her in her London home that was the scene of a murder. Her husband Jack insists that she is simply imagining things, such as misplacing items, hearing noises, and inventing stories. As Bella's confidence begins to crumble, her isolation grows, and the walls of her home, both literal and emotional, start to close in around her. This new version by Johnna Wright and Patty Jamieson, which premiered in 2022 at Canada's Shaw Festival, doesn't just retell the familiar tale of deceit and control but reframes it. By eliminating the role of the inspector, who was the one to piece together the clues to reveal the facts in Hamilton's original play, this updated version lets Bella be the one who discovers the truth, which allows the audience to see the emotional abuse and psychological warfare of the story through a more contemporary and personal lens. It also puts Bella front and center in her own story and makes her be the one responsible for how it ends while also elevating the role of Elizabeth, the loyal and kind-hearted housemaid, into someone who helps Bella regain her confidence and freedom. While Gaslight was once a study of Victorian gender roles, these changes turn Deceived into a female-centric story with strong and smart women at the center while also heightening the psychological realism, which makes Bella's struggle with self-doubt and fear of manipulation hit even harder. However, as good as this adaptation is, there is unevenness in the plot, especially in the backstory of the murderer, and you'll most likely guess what's really going on in Bella's world long before she does. Fortunately, unlike in Hamilton's original play (and its 1940 British film adaptation) when you know only shortly into the first act the truth behind the noises Bella is hearing, Wright and Jamieson delay the reveal of the first bit of information until the end of act one. That decision, which is more in line with the plotting of the classic 1944 Hollywood film version, is a wise choice, as it keeps the audience on their toes and possibly just as confused as Bella is until she, and the audience, begins to unravel the deceit and reveal the truth. Under Jenn Thompson's precise and confident direction, Deceived builds its tension methodically, each scene drawing the audience deeper into Bella's unraveling world. By the time the truth is revealed, the payoff feels richly earned and wholly satisfying. The creative elements of this production are superb. Alexander Dodge's set, with its angular walls and elegant period touches, creates an atmosphere that feels both claustrophobic and surreal. A see-through scrim on the ceiling of the set adds an ingenious touch that allows the audience to glimpse figures moving above, eavesdropping or observing unseen, which builds a constant sense of unease. Philip Rosenberg's lighting and Jane Shaw's sound design subtly shift throughout the evening, amplifying the tension as the story tightens its grip; every thud that Bella hears coming from above and each crack of lightning in Shaw's sound design is superb. The costumes by Patrick Holt are exquisite period and character period designs. The performances are equally compelling. Laakan McHardy delivers a tour-de-force portrayal as Bella, capturing the fragile balance between fear, confusion, and an emerging strength that becomes her salvation. Her emotionally wrought performance grounds the play's suspense in something that is both deeply human and incredibly honest. As Jack, Tony Roach brings the perfect mix of charm and menace, making Jack's manipulation extremely believable. Amelia White's grounded presence as Elizabeth, who senses that something is wrong in the household but remains quietly observant, provides Bella with small moments of comfort amidst her growing anxiety. In the small but important role of Nancy, the young, flirtatious maid who has secrets of her own, Sarah-Anne Martinez is appropriately confident and brash, which adds to Bella's insecurity and emotional fragility. Deceived at Arizona Theatre Company is a thrilling reimagining of a classic story that feels both timeless and timely. It's the perfect combination of atmosphere, acting, and psychological suspense with moments that chill and resonate while also proving that the fears of doubt and deception never go out of style. Arizona Theatre Company Theatre's Deceived runs through November 9, 2025, at Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Mesa AZ. For tickets and information, please visit www.arizonatheatre.org or call 833-282 7328. Adapted by Johnna Wright and Patty Jamieson from Gaslight by Patrick Hamilton Cast: (in alphabetical order) The Actors and Stage Managers employed in this production are members of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States |
