Darlington Hippodrome – until 23 November 2019
4****
I’ve always said you should watch The Woman in Black at least twice – the first time to be scared witless yourself and the second time to enjoy the magnificent production and to watch the reaction of the audience. And at press night in Darlington I was sitting next to someone who had the most amazing reactions to the performance.
The Woman in Black tells the story of Arthur Kipps. The old Arthur (Robert Goodale) has employed the services of an unnamed actor (Daniel Easton) to help tell his spine chilling tale. When a young man, Arthur was given a job, by the firm of Solicitors he worked for, to travel north to sort out the affairs of the late Alice Drablow. Visiting her house, cut off by tides and sea fret, Arthur experienced far more than he bargained for. With Easton playing the part of the young Arthur, Goodale takes on the various bit parts of characters along the way and, at times, acts a monologue, Arthur’s “true” story is a genuine spooky experience.
Since its first performance in 1987 The Woman In Black has been terrifying its audience members. Written by Susan Hill and adapted by the late Stephen Mallatratt this play within a play entertains and frightens in equal measure, drawing on the imagination of the audience to produce shocks and scares. And this is mainly due to the outstanding technical production. Micheal Holt’s set, Kevin Sleep’s lighting and Sebatian Frost’s sound (based on Rod Mead’s original sound design) are what help to build the atmosphere, the beautifully restored Edwardian theatre also lends itself to the effect. But it really is the power of the imagination that is the main clincher in this tale. Sitting in the auditorium, petrified, surrounded by people audibly screaming is an experience in itself.
My one and only gripe is the change of wording, in the first act the Actor used to say “We’ll make an Irving of you” referring to Sir Henry Irving, an actor who died in 1905. However they’ve now changed the wording to “Olivier” – indeed a fabulous actor with an amazing legacy, but Sir Laurence wasn’t born until 1907 and Susan Hill based her novella of The Woman in Black in the Edwardian era (1901 to 1910). When everything else is so perfect, so historically correct, this one thing did annoy me – which is why it’s only 4 stars when it should be 5
However, with its longevity in the West End – over 30 years and no signs of stopping – The Woman in Black remains one of the most spine tingling and thrilling plays being performed today.