If you’re a cricket fan it’s hard not to talk about cricket when interviewing Kate Fitzpatrick.
She is one of Australia’s most accomplished actors and writers, a star of the stage and screen, including The Removalists in 1975 and later on the small screen in Blue Heelers, Marshall Law, Neighbours and Packed to the Rafters.
She was friendly with Nobel Literature Laureate Patrick White (she starred in his play Big Toys, which he wrote for her) and is regarded by many as something of a national treasure.
The good news is that at 76, Fitzpatrick is by no means retired as she is about to join the cast of Queensland Theatre’s season opener, Gaslight, in the Playhouse at QPAC from February 20, before touring nationally.
Fitzpatrick plays the housekeeper in this modern adaptation of the 1940s thriller by Patrick Hamilton. The 1944 film of the play, set in London in 1901, is iconic. It starred Charles Boyer, Ingrid Bergman, Joseph Cotton and Angela Lansbury and gave rise to the expression gaslighting, which seems to be so popular today.
Gaslighting is a colloquialism, loosely defined as manipulating someone into questioning their own perception of reality, their sanity that is. The expression derives from the title of the film and it became popular in the mid-2010s and is in common usage today. So, there’s nice synergy between the timing of the play and the zeitgeist.
Fitzpatrick has appeared in plays for just about every major theatre company in Australia, so seeing her back on stage playing the housekeeper (Angela Lansbury in the film) in this thriller will be quite the event.
Fitzpatrick is also an accomplished writer, essayist and humourist, with four published books, including Namedropping and Airmail. She has worked as a feature writer and columnist for major newspapers and journals and on TV as an interviewer and presenter.
So, with all those achievements, why would we be talking about cricket with her? Well, for one thing, it’s summer and there’s a lot of cricket on. Secondly, because she loves the game. But mainly because her love and knowledge of it led to her becoming the world’s first female cricket commentator on TV in the Australian summer of 1983-’84.
Fitzpatrick joined the Nine Network commentating team in a move that wasn’t popular with everyone at the time. To be such a trail blazer holds a special place in her heart.
“I do love my cricket and it was a brilliant move by Channel Nine,” she says, before beginning rehearsals for Gaslight. “I had no idea what to do at first. There were all these famous old cricketers and me. Some of them didn’t want me there. But Richie Benaud was kind and Tony Greig was supportive.
“After one test the players all lined up to be interviewed by me … Greg Chappell, Dennis Lillee, Imran Khan. Nowadays some of the very best commentators are women.”
Meanwhile, Fitzpatrick says she is enjoying a summer of cricket and looking forward to beginning the national tour of Gaslight in Brisbane.
“My son Joe is in Brisbane in commercial property,” Fitzpatrick says. “So, I know a bit about what’s happening there and how much the city has changed. I first went to Brisbane in the early ’70s when I was starring in The Legend of King O’Malley.
“I’m only playing a housekeeper in this production of Gaslight. I’ve never played a housekeeper. I’ve played Don Juan, queens, princesses and whores and every other kind of person, but never a housekeeper.” So that will be a treat.
The highly anticipated adaptation is being directed by Queensland Theatre’s artistic director Lee Lewis and produced by Rodney Rigby for Newtheatricals and Queensland Theatre. It has been adapted by respected Canadian writers and performers Patty Jamieson and Johnna Wright and world premiered at the internationally renowned Shaw Festival in Canada in 2022.
This modern version stars Geraldine Hakewill as Bella Manningham, who is manipulated by her controlling husband Jack, played by Toby Schmitz. (Their names are different in the classic film but this is an adaptation of the original play.)
Bella is a young wife who seemingly has it all – a nice home and a comfortable upper-middle class life. So why is Bella on edge? As we learn more about the Manningham household, it becomes clear that something is amiss. Despite his doting appearance, Jack is hiding something – he keeps disappearing in the evenings … and after he leaves, Bella hears strange sounds in the house. The gas lights dim for no apparent reason. Is Bella losing her grip on reality? Or is something more sinister afoot?
Get InReview in your inbox – free each Saturday. Local arts and culture – covered.
Thanks for signing up to the InReview newsletter.
Producer Rodney Rigby says it’s time for an updated version of this classic.
“I was interested in tackling a play that’s stood the test of time; intrigued millions both on stage and on film, and giving it a modern, 2024 twist,” Rigby says.
“Could we explore a more relevant message and yet retain the thrills and suspense of the original? This new adaptation, starring Geraldine Hakewill and Toby Schmitz with Australia’s finest creative team under the direction of Lee Lewis, delivers, creating an exciting new thriller for the theatre. I couldn’t be more excited to be producing Gaslight across the country.”
Gaslight, Playhouse, QPAC, February 20 to March 3, before touring nationally.
gaslightplay.com.au
Support local arts journalism
Your support will help us continue the important work of InReview in publishing free professional journalism that celebrates, interrogates and amplifies arts and culture in South Australia.
Donate Here
