ONE of the UK’s favourite actors, Martin Shaw (Judge John Deed, Inspector George Gently, The Professionals) tours to Bath in a new production of Gaslight, the classic stage drama which went on to be a hit movie.

Directed by Olivier Award-nominated Lucy Bailey with set and costumes designed by Olivier Award winner William Dudley and sound design by Tony Award winner Mic Pool, Patrick Hamilton’s psychological thriller visits the Theatre Royal from Monday, October 14 to Saturday, October 19 as one of just five venues prior to going to the London West End.

A lost watch, a missing brooch, a displaced picture frame… Tricks of the mind perhaps, but for Bella Manningham (Charlotte Emmerson) everything seems horribly real.

As the fog-bound evening draws in and the gaslight dims again, Bella is frightened. She realises that she is alone with just her thoughts to keep her company and no one to protect her from the footsteps creaking in the attic.

Only the unexpected arrival of former police detective, Rough (Martin Shaw), can help untangle fact from fiction and save a woman on the brink of insanity.

Patrick Hamilton’s Gaslight was first staged in 1938 and later adapted into a film starring legendary Academy Award winner Ingrid Bergman in 1944.

It was this extraordinary thriller’s ground-breaking cultural impact that saw the term ‘gaslighting’ adopted as a term for psychological abuse.

The play was last seen at Bath’s Theatre Royal in 1986. James Wilby plays the role of Jack Manningham and Mary Chater plays Nancy.

Tickets are on sale at the Theatre Royal Bath Box Office on 01225 448844 and online at www.theatreroyal.org.uk