The Woman in Black

Synopsis

Fog and creepily haunted houses, supernatural happenings, sea mists and dark stormy nights, lonely funerals and creaking attic doors, all combine in this gripping adaptation of Susan Hill's tense and thrilling story to create a play that taps our primal fears. A grieving lawyer believes a curse has been cast over him and his family by the spectre of the woman in black. In an attempt to exorcise the spirit he engages a sceptical young actor to help him tell his story. His plan begins innocently enough, but as the border between reality and fantasy blur, the horror starts and the flesh begins to creep..

Our Review:

Alison Carr - 25 January 2010

“I ain’t afraid of no ghosts …”

Stephen Mallatratt’s adaptation of Susan Hill’s 1983 novel has all the elements of your classic Gothic spine-tingler:

1) An eerie house in a desolate location? Check.
2) Suitable weather, ie: mist, murk, drizzle? Check.
3) A hero who doesn’t turn back at the first (second, or even third) sign of spooky goings-on? Check.
4) The obligatory hooded figure stalking graveyards and other suitable locations? Check.

Beyond the Nine Lives Causeway stands the imposing Eel Marsh House, home to the recently deceased Alice Drablow. Junior solicitor Arthur Kipps is sent to attend Mrs Drablow’s funeral and sort through her papers. The locals are cagey and the fog rolling; all in all there is definitely something strange in this neighbourhood.  

In an interesting twist, we are not presented these facts as events unfolding but as a re...

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Latest User Review

jessica x - 29 September 2011:

i feel you have given a very fair review on this play as i have seen it myself and love it!! but yes this was a very thourgh piece and i enjoyed it!! ...

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