Richardson Theatre Centre, 518 W. Arapaho Road., Suite 113, Richardson, TX 75080
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Angel Street aka Gaslight
Thriller By Patrick Hamilton
Dallas Theatre Journal Review by Glynda Welch

Patron Review by David Kelton
Posted on Facebook, June 21, 2025, 11:36 AM
I have always believed that the first impression in a theater production is critical to the enjoyment of that production. I can honestly say that I was blown away by perhaps the best set I have seen at RTC in the 26 years that I have been in its audiences. The play is set in Victorian Philadelphia (according to the playbill - although I rather fancied it being in Victorian London as all of the actors were speaking with British accents). This set takes you to that place and time before an actor has taken the stage or spoken a word. When you add the spot-on Victorian era costumes to the set .... IMHO the imagery is flat out impressive. The set is the result of set designer, Greg Smith's, creative genius. Bravo!
Angel Street (aka Gaslight) begins as a psychological study of the interactions of a married couple, Jack and Bella Manningham. They are living in the former home an old woman who we find out was murdered some 15 years earlier. The house staff is comprised of two interesting (Upstairs/Downstairs) servants. Not all is as it seems after an unexpected visitor arrives in the person of Inspector Rough, Ret. The audience is introduced to tales of a rumored murder and a fortune in lost jewels. The play pivots to the question of whether or not the rumors are true and then to a clever plot to sort out the truth.
The show is quite long, running at 2+ hours (and intermission) with much exposition and little, but well timed, stage movement. The three principal actors, Robert San Juan (Jack Manningham), Amy Knoles (Bella Manningham), and Blair Mitchell (Inspector Rough) have myriad lines. How they committed all to memory is a testament to their hard work as I saw few, if any, line errors. The pacing was a bit slow at times but not distractingly so.
A bit about these fine actors: Mr. San Juan is convincing as a dominant, philandering, scheming, egocentric individual (yes, there are more adjectives that could be used). His character is thoroughly unlikeable. I applaud his fabulous voice, stage presence and characterization of the detestable Jack.
Amy Knoles wonderfully plays the innocent victim of her husband's abusive conduct with the angst of someone who might find herself in such an unfortunate situation. The confusion she portrays when confronted with those rumors of murder, hidden wealth and her husband's possible involvement is quite believable. She has to be exhausted at the end of a performance as her role is so thoroughly emotional.
Blair Mitchell's character provides a welcome mood change from the depressed and depressing aura surrounding the Manningham home. He's quite believable as the calm, yet determined, retired inspector who wants to solve this one, major crime. Mr. Mitchell, too, shows the experience of a seasoned actor.
The two supporting characters, Nancy (Ainsley Horan) and Elizabeth (Leigh Wyatt Moore) are polar opposites. Ms. Horan's Nancy is flirty, saucy and self-absorbed. She cares not for her mistress but envisions a relationship with the master, Jack Manningham. I didn't like Nancy very much ... to the credit of Ms. Horan.
Elizabeth on the other hand is gracious, caring and kind to her mistress, Bella Manningham. That Ms. Moore gave us a truly kind Elizabeth is not surprising as she is a seasoned actor with many leading and supporting roles in her resume. This may be the first small but pivotal role that she has embraced in her theater career but, naturally, did it well.
Robert Sims (Policeman) may be my favorite "cameo-guy" right now. He just fit the role. More than a cameo actor, he contributed to the technical aspects of sound, lights and set construction.

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
By Agatha Christie
Adapted for the stage by Mark Shanahan
Dallas Theatre Journal review by Glenda Welch for The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
Richardson Today promotional video of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

Run For Your Wife
Farce By Ray Cooney
Dallas Theatre Journal Review by Teri Williams for Run For Your Wife