The Woman In Black at Fortune Theatre London - Review

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Mon 08 Jun 2015 - Sat 04 Jul 2015

The horror film of The Woman in Black starring Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe has brought this chilling tale to new audiences in recent years, but this play, adapted to stage by the talented Stephen Mallatratt from Susan Hill's novella, offers a few more surprises.



The storyline in the theatrical version of The Woman In Black stays true to the novel and although probably not as frightening as the movie, it offers an extra twist.

The Woman In Black is based at London's Fortune Theatre near Covent Garden and is also on tour in the summer of 2015 to High Wycombe, Buxton, Wales and Dunfermline.

Starting off very different to the film that is perfect for a theatre setting, we see the hero of the tale, elderly Mr Kipps, approaching an actor in a theatre about how to retell his macabre story to his family.

The pair end up acting out his diary (like a play within a play) on stage, which gradually builds up the tension more and more until a frenzied finale.

We see a tormented Arthur Kipps in his old age and a young actor who becomes Mr Kipps in his youth, who is sent on a mission to a remote town after the death of an elderly woman. He discovers a frightful state of affairs and calamities associated with the woman's life, but are they just myths or should he be fearful?



It's hard to believe there are just two actors in the show (plus a ghost) taking on all the parts and their abilities shine as this is no easy feat.

Both the actors are easily watchable in whatever form they take on, which is many throughout the two hour show.

Although the play may seem slow to get going, it is only following the formula of a good ghost story - to make you so complacent that the shocks have an even bigger effect.

Despite a bare stage with only a few props, there is an excellent use of lighting, sound and shadow that draw the audience into the murky tale.

The old house amid the fog is cleverly projected on stage and cunningly, most of the terror comes from what you can't see.

There's chilling suspense that grips and sends the heart racing just that little bit faster, but be warned, you may also be looking over your shoulder on a dark night for a while.

Rating: 8/10

The Woman In Black
Fortune Theatre
Russell Street,
London
WC2B 5HH
Nearest Tube: Covent Garden
Tel: 0844 871 7626

Tickets cost from £19.50 - £60 from The Woman In Black website .

2015 UK Tour Dates
Wycombe Swan Theatre - 8 Jun 2015 – 13 Jun 2015 ›
Buxton Opera House - 16 Jun 2015 – 20 Jun 2015 ›
Llandudno Venue Cymru - 22 Jun 2015 – 27 Jun 2015 ›
Dunfermline Alhambra Theatre - 29 Jun 2015 – 4 Jul 2015

Tickets cost from £19.50 - £60 from The Woman In Black website .

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!date 08/06/2015 -- 04/07/2015
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