The Woman In Black
Written by Jessica Green
For me, this was one of the most anticipated plays of the summer. Reviews called it ‘the most terrifying and successful theatre event ever staged’ and I was completely wrapped up in the chilling hype. Sadly, the hype was far more exciting than the actual show.
Susan Hill’s 1983 thriller novel has been adapted for both television and theatre and has now reached a global level with productions spreading to the United States, South America and Tokyo. It tells the story of a lawyer obsessed by a curse that he believes has been cast over him and his family by the spectre of ‘The Woman In Black’.
Stephen Mallatratt’s production utilises a fantastic set full with haunted castle, eerie marshes and moaning winds, spooky staircases and locked doors. Actors Robert Demeger and Peter Bramhill are wholly convincing and the fog that fills the theatre tops off the atmosphere.
The reputation of the play means that the still, quietness of the first half builds a real calm before the storm feeling. This is disappointing when the calm turns out to be more exciting than the storm.
Whether the writing is outdated or I’m just a member of the generation desensitised to horror by Hollywood, I haven’t decided. If I hadn’t seen Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman’s Ghost Stories last February I would say that horror just doesn’t work on the stage. But maybe it’s because I have seen modern writing that is tailored to the generation accustomed to jugulars spurting blood and men sawing through their own ankles that I’m biased.
The best thing about Mallatratt’s production is the acting. Robert Demeger returns to the role of lawyer Arthur Kipps, a role he has played in the West End and previously on tour. Peter Bramhill could also have played the role of the Young Actor for years.
Sadly, if it wasn’t for such fantastic actors and set design I wouldn’t recommend this to future audiences purely because it’s beginning to feel a bit dated around the edges.
