Ilkley Playhouse's first production of 2026 is Patrick Hamilton’s atmospheric play, Gaslight.
Opening on Thursday 15th January in the Wharfeside Theatre, the play is set in Victorian London and follows the Manninghams, a well-to-do couple living in a large house.
Jack Manningham is an overbearing bully, while Bella Manningham is living on her nerves for fear of offending her husband. Jack is convinced that, like her mother before her, his wife is succumbing to mental illness and Bella is terrified that he may be right.
Jack manipulates and undermines his wife, his temper is constantly fluctuating; he dismisses and belittles her, and, by turning the lights on and off, starts to make her think she is going mad.
In Patrick Hamilton’s atmospheric play, which gave us the term ‘to gaslight’ to describe coercive control, Bella struggles to understand her husband’s abusive behaviour towards her – until one evening, while her husband is out, a stranger arrives asking to speak with her.

Running from 15th to 24th January [exc. 18th] with shows starting at 7.30pm, with a 2.30pm show on Saturday 17th January, Gaslight promises to provide an evening of suspense and edge-of-your-seat drama – perfect for a dark winter’s night.
Tickets are available via the Ilkley Playhouse website ilkleyplayhouse.co.uk or from the Box Office, 01943 609539.

Birthday card appeal launched for Ilkley woman turning 106
Ilkley Fire Station welcomes hundreds for annual open day
Ilkley MP says lessons must be learned from A65 roadworks
Thrill-seekers' skydive raises £5,700 for children's charity
Ilkley nursing home opens new landscaped garden
Ilkley Half Marathon raises more than £55,000 for local good causes
Yorkshire children invited to nominate their parents to be 'slimed' on CBBC
Yorkshire Water completes A65 work two weeks early
Sir Gareth Southgate among sporting stars heading to Ilkley golf event
Ilkley wine merchant to open third venue in Haworth
Ilkley MP demands answers from Royal Mail over postal delays
Bard in the Yard returns to Ilkley Manor House this August
Community comes together in Ilkley to address young men's mental health
Record-breaking Ilkley Open serves up more than 1,100 matches
Ilkley Playhouse unveils packed season of drama, comedy, music and live entertainment
GALLERY: Thousands celebrate Yorkshire Day in Ilkley
MP criticises lack of progress on Ilkley roadworks as Yorkshire Water extends working hours
Right at Home celebrates official opening of new office
The Little Calf offer free play sessions
Ilkley Civic Society launches search for the town's best building and conservation projects


