The ShowThis hugely successful adaptation of Susan Hill's celebrated ghost story has been thrilling audiences in the West End for 25 years, whilst staying true to the original story, Stephen Mallatratt has created the extra dimension of a play within a play.Cleverly told, this chilling tale will take you on a journey laced with illusion and horror. Using only two actors throughout, prepare for an intimate and enthralling performance...When the play begins, we meet our main character Arthur Kipps and the young actor he has hired to help tell his story. Reliving his past, Arthurs' tale of the mysterious Woman in Black begins to unfold.Upon hearing of the death of an elderly and reclusive relative, young Kipps travels to her marsh-surrounded home to look through her papers. It is in the nearby village he first encounters the Woman in Black, and finds everyone he meets is too terrified to speak of her.Following a harrowing experience out on the misty marshes, Arthur discovers a series of old letters amongst his relative's belongings which reveal the ghostly woman's story, he delves deeper into her dark past, all at his own terrible cost...
Please be aware there is a high likelihood of school groups attending performances, especially for Mondays and Thursdays.
History of the Woman in BlackThe Woman in Black is based on Susan Hill's novel of the same name, written in 1983, it was first adapted for the stage in 1987 and opened in London's West End in 1989, where it has continued to pull in audiences making it the second longest-running non-musical play in the history of the West End, second only to The Mousetrap.
Why book London Theatre Breaks to see The Woman in Black?Join the ranks of over 7 million theatregoers who have lived to tell the tale of the Woman in Black, then revel in this cleverly told story back in the comfort of one of our specially selected London hotels - when you could save up to 50% with Hotel Direct it won't be the price giving you a fright!
Awards and what the critics have to sayHighly acclaimed by critics, Stephen Mallatratt's ingenious stage adaptation has entered the West End record books and continues to amaze audiences night after night.
"A MASTERPIECE" - The Guardian
"THE CHILLS ARE IRRESISTIBLY EFFECTIVE...A DELICIOUS SPELL OF MALEVOLENCE AND MENACE" - Time Out
"A REAL TREAT. ENTERTAINMENT AT ITS VERY BEST" - Daily Telegraph
Interesting facts about The Woman in Black- The Woman in Black was first performed in 1987 at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough under the name of a "Christmas Ghost Story"
- Although the dog, Spider, is very much a real character in both the book and the play, he is never portrayed by either actor and left completely up to the audiences' imagination.
- The main prop used throughout the play is a large wicker basket, amongst other objects this is used as a bed and a carriage.
