London Woman in Black Celebrates 15th BirthdayDate: 9 June 2004
After more than 6,000 performances, the award-winning thriller The Woman in Black tonight celebrates its 15th birthday at the West End's Fortune Theatre, where it first opened on 7 June 1989.
Originally produced at Scarborough's Stephen Joseph Theatre in December 1987, The Woman in Black has been seen by over two million viewers in London alone. It has also been produced around the world in 22 countries, including Malaysia, Uruguay, Japan, the US and a US naval base on the coast of Iceland.
In The Woman in Black, young solicitor Arthur Kipps is sent to wind up the affairs of a recently deceased woman. He begins to piece together the details of her strange reclusive life, alone in a remote and mysterious house, and soon finds himself under a curse cast by the spectre of a 'woman in black'. Years later, he recounts his experiences to a sceptical young actor in a desperate attempt to exorcise his fears.
The thriller is based on the 1970s novel by Susan Hill and is adapted for the stage by Stephen Mallatratt. Previous cast members have included Joseph Fiennes (in his first professional role), Michael Grandage (now Donmar Warehouse artistic director, in his last acting role, Edward Petherbridge, Michael Siberry, Patrick Toomey, Christopher Ravenscroft, Sebastian Harcombe and, until recently, Pip Donaghey and Colin Hurley.
Directed ever since its opening by Robin Herford, the two-hander is now on its 26th cast - Hugh Ross and Dominic Richards - and is taking bookings up to 7 August 2004.
- Hannah Kennedy
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