Thanks to Claire Rumball for choosing Gaslight for the Next Stage Theatre Company’s production at The Mission Theatre in July, and for supporting Southside with awareness raising and collections each evening.
We all know the term ‘gaslighting’ now, but how many understand its origins in this play written by Patrick Hamilton in 1938, and then adapted into a 1944 film starring Ingrid Bergman. The play was the first time that ‘gaslighting’ was used to describe psychological and emotional abuse that we now recognise as coercive control.
The themes of this play and the powerful performances remain desperately current, with coercive and controlling behaviour increasing, and domestic abuse cases now at over 20% of demand for Avon and Somerset Police. The Mission Theatre was transformed into a dark gaslit Victorian parlour with the audience sat around the stage, watching the chilling events unfold, beautifully directed by Claire.
Claire knows of Southside’s support for victims of domestic abuse through her role as a local GP and understands the impact that coercive control has on people’s lives. She first thought about directing Gaslight during the Covid pandemic, hearing about the increase in domestic abuse in lockdowns. She wrote: “My hope would be that this production reminds of the sad, sly and sadistic reality of emotional and psychological abuse”
We are very grateful to Claire and Next Stage Theatre Company for their kind support of Southside’s work to support people affected by domestic abuse. The collections raised over £190 and the performances and conversations raised significant awareness of the support available at Southside.
In the programme, Claire included an excerpt from Why Did You Stay, a poem written and performed by Caitlin O’Ryan for Refuge:
Why did you stay?
they say,
as if I’ve never heard that question,
as if it’s not the thing that leaves my lips
when met with my reflection,
for my perception of myself is skewed,
I don’t know how I got there.
It’s not the life for me I’d choose, but somehow I got lost there.
If you, someone you are with, a family member or friend, or someone you are supporting is experiencing domestic abuse and is at imminent risk of harm, you should always phone 999. The Police will be able to arrange to get you to a safe place and will ask if you want further support from Southside. You can call Southside for support on 01225 331243 during office hours and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline is available at any time on 0808 2000 247.
www.south-side.org.uk/domestic-abuse-help-in-an-emergency
