Based on the 1938 Patrick Hamilton play "Gaslight," which gave birth to the term that describes the practice of psychological manipulation to get people to question their own perceptions, "Deceived" thrives on subtelty.
At the core of the psychological whirlwind is Bella (Laakan McHardy), a cheery matron of a creaky estate who feels isolated by her passive-aggressive workaholic husband, Jack (Tony Roach). She feels somewhat subservient to Elizabeth (Amelia White), the kindly but overbearing head maid who has run the household long before Jack and Elizabeth moved in.
Much of the dynamic involves Jack stumbling over himself to "help" Bella while overtly belittling her, accusing her of forgetting or misremembering past events, as well as uncontrollable kleptomania. It's never quite clear who is pulling the strings, and tantalizing to see Bella attempt to unravel the web in which she's caught. White's withering performance, which eventually builds a path to self-determination, is the key to the slow-burn mystery.
The fourth member of the cast is serial scene-swiper Sarah-Anne Martinez, of "Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin" fame, crackles as Nancy, a maid in training who says as much with her foot-stomping and pompous intonations as she does her dialogue.
Director Jenn Thompson orchestrates her capable cast and stunning set, which includes mood shifts accompanied by gas lights brightening and dimming, as well as stunning scene-ending blackouts.
"Deceived" has a way of summoning you into its drawing room and losing yourself in its whirlwind of psychological parlor games. Providing a steady stream of chills and understated thrills, the play simmers with poignance and tension.
"Deceived" plays through Oct. 18. Buy tickets here.
