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Angel Street by Patrick Hamilton is billed as
a Victorian Thriller. Written in 1938, the play has a more modern edge than
the Victorian labeling might insinuate. The play is a psychological thriller
with a melodramatic flair, set in a Victorian 19th century, but with a
distinctive 20th century perspective.
Angel Street is a hybrid, of sorts. Drawing on the traditions of Victorian
popular theatre and the newer naturalism of the 1930's, playwright Patrick
Hamilton attempted and succeeded in melding the two. It was a unique
theatrical offering for its time – resulting in a hugely successful Broadway
run and its subsequent making into the award winning movie "Gaslight",
directed by George Cukor and starring Ingrid Bergman in an Oscar-winning
performance. But more importantly, Angel Street spawned a whole new
generation of stage thrillers that re-invigorated the old form and injected
it with a psychologically fuelled adrenaline. The next generation of stage
thrillers included such intense classics as Dial M For Murder, Wait Until
Dark, The Bad Seed and even more recent offerings like Deathtrap and Voices
In The Dark. These plays rely less on plot and the theatrical machinations
of Victorian thrillers and more on emotionally charged interplay. Angel
Street blazed the way for this revolutionary shift in stage thrillers.
Angel Street gives us, however, the best of both worlds – it has that
old-time feel of the Victorian thriller, yet gives us a contemporary access
to the goings-on in the Manningham household. Victorian thrillers relied
heavily on stage and plot devices – and Angel Street joyfully does, too.
Yes, a great deal of the play revolves around its infamous gaslight! But,
uncharacteristically Victorian, it raises serious issues of abuse and
manipulation - thus allowing such worn devices to transform into modern and
gripping theatrical metaphor.
Cast & Crew: Angel Street
Rough:
Tommy Jones
Mrs. Manningham: Sharon Tovey
Mr. Manningham: Steven Godo
Elizabeth:
Joyce Arnold
Nancy:
Candace Goodpaster
Officer Haven: Rick DeHaven
Officer Moran: Mike Moran
Director: Leanne McCurley
Costumes: Paula Steinhaus
Properties: Leslie Rovainen
Set Decor: Nancy Carson
Stage Manager: Hazel Campbell
Doors for Angel Street will open Friday night
with champagne and hors d'œuvres at 7pm with the show beginning at 8pm.
Additional shows will be Sept. 20th at 8pm, Sept. 21st at 2pm, Sept. 26, 27,
28 at 8pm, 8pm, and 2pm and then the final weekend of show times will be
Oct. 3,4,5 at 8pm, 8pm and 2pm.
The Chetco Pelican
Playhouse is located at 1240 Chetco Avenue in Brookings. For questions or
reservations please call 541-469-1857. Tickets are $12.00 for adults and
$6.00 for students and are available at Mory's, Words and Pictures, Chetco
Pharmacy and Gifts, the Book Dock, the JCPenny catalogue store and at the
door.
Chetco Pelican Players
PO Box 2712
Harbor, Or 97415
ph: 541-469-1857 or
541-661-5166
e-mail:chetcopelicanplayers@gmail.com
http://www.chetcopelicanplayers.org
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