The original stage production of one of the most famous ghost stories, Susan Hill's The Woman In Black has returned to Milton Keynes Theatre followng a 33 year run in the West End, writes Chris Gregg.
This is a show unlike anything you'll have seen before, using the power of the imagination alongside creepy lighting (lots of flickering candle light, darkness and torchlight), sound effects (with an immersive surround sound effect) and masterful suspense to create a genuinely scary mood as the chilling story plays out.
There are only two actors in this show, with the story told as a 'play within a play' as an unnamed actor (Mark Hawkins) rehearse the staging of the experiences of Arthur Kipps (played by Malcolm James). The Actor ends up playing Arthur Kipps, as Arthur performs every other character in the story, his acting ability rapidly improving as the show goes on.
Stephen Mallatratt’s adaptation of Susan Hill’s best-selling novel tells the story of a lawyer obsessed with a curse that he believes has been cast over his family by the spectre of a ‘Woman in Black’. He engages a young actor to help him tell his story and exorcise the fear that grips his soul. It begins innocently enough, but as they delve further into his darkest memories the borders between make-believe and reality begin to blur and the flesh begins to creep.
Malcolm James has performed this role on a previous UK tour and in the West End production and brings a convincingly haunted quality to the role. Mark Hawkins has also appeared in the West End production and brings a fantastic energy to this demanding role.
The tour cast is completed by Jon de Ville as understudy Arthur Kipps and Dominic Price as understudy The Actor.
More than seven million people have watched The Woman In Black in the UK since the show was first performed and it still has the power to make an audience scream! Especially the many school students who were in the theatre on the opening night.
The producers have continued their policy of keeping ticket prices affordable for young people so this is a great opportunity to see a fantastic piece of theatre which will really haunt you!
