The Woman in Black - Review

There’s an autumnal chill in the air, just in time for the arrival of The Woman in Black at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.

This legendary production based on Susan Hill’s 1983 chilling ghost story of the same name returns to Wolverhampton Grand Theatre directly from London’s West End, after an incredible 33-year run at the Fortune Theatre.

The Woman in Black was first staged in Scarborough after a commission for a ghost story for Christmas adapted by Stephen Mallatratt and directed by Robin Herford. It opened at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in 1987. The play arrived at the Fortune Theatre in the summer of 1989 after playing earlier that year at the Lyric Hammersmith, the Strand (now Novello) and the Playhouse theatres.

The plot centres around Arthur Kipps, obsessed with a curse that he believes is being cast over him and his family by the elusive Woman in Black. He engages with a sceptical young actor to help him tell his story and exercise a fear that grips his very soul. But during their rehearsals, their staging itself becomes prey to supernatural visitations from the whip-thin, funereally garbed woman.

Malcolm James takes on the role of Arthur Kipps and Mark Hawkins plays The Actor. The pair showcase a master class in theatre, as they navigate the two-hour-long show with minimal set and few props. As this is essentially a play within apply, the actors are required to be versatile, taking on multiple characters. Their use of physical theatre is something of a marvel, and their seamless shifts between characters are quite remarkable. Although this is a somewhat tense play, there were lots of pepper rings of humour and comedic one-liners delivered by the pair.

The audience is invited to use their imagination throughout, with a prop basket becoming a railway carriage, a bed, and a horse and trap. And while The Actor changes into the young Arthur Kipps, Kipps himself becomes a whole range of characters. Both adults and children alike were captivated by the eerie suspense created on stage and drawn into this world of the unexpected through this clever use of their imagination.

For me, this is an excellent demonstration of what the power of theatre can do. We live in a world of CGI and greenscreen, but this production manages to scare its audience with the presence of only two actors onstage. This production highlights just how powerful theatre can be. It can stimulate our imaginations, creating a world into which we are inextricably drawn. I could feel both the cautiousness and excitement of the audience around me. The lighting and set design by Michael Holt and Kevin Sleep is ingenious. The use of low-intensity lighting creates shadows against the set backdrop, creating various illusions throughout the show.

This is a production that delivers an atmospheric illusion and most of all, suspense. Immerse yourself and experience the excitement and thrill of this critically acclaimed international theatre event, that has been seen by over 7 million people worldwide. This will be a particular favourite for anyone who has a fascination with all things paranormal, or those who love an adrenaline rush that comes with being scared beyond their senses.

The Woman in Black continues at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre until Saturday 9th September 2023. Tickets are available at the following link https://www.grandtheatre.co.uk/whats-on/the-woman-in-black/