Lyric Theatre, The Lowry, Manchester – 20th March 2017. Reviewed by Julie Noller
The Woman in Black as we know, is a book,play and film and before watching I had surprisingly not read the book nor seen the film. I was going into this with a clear head no preconceptions. My thoughts afterwards are that I would without a shadow of doubt return to watch again and again. The book obviously came first written by Susan Hill and first published in 1983. It was adapted by Stephen Mallatrait into a stage play and is currently into its 27th year on the West End at the Fortune Theatre. Its currently being Directed by Robin Herford and I can tell you from the many interesting interviews and facts included in the programme that the cast changes every 9 months, this should help to give the play an infusion of freshness and prevent it from statementing.
The current cast of only 2 were excellent throughout and took us the audience along for the ride, according to my sister she was on the edge of her seat. Yes we screamed, yes we laughed but it should be expected. We the watching audience bonded over each nervous inhale, each sigh of relief. The standing ovation at the end was fully deserved.
As with all plays I’ve had the pleasure of watching at The Lowry, the stage is laid bare there was no curtain covering what was to come. Immediately you feel part of the drama before a single word has been uttered. The phone ringtone is blasted out across the loud speakers and a gentle hush ensues, time to turn phones off we are warned any illumination may affect the lighting effects and enjoyment of others. Quite right too. Suddenly a man appears on stage he looks like an insurance salesman dressed in jacket and trousers, he could be from 10 years ago or one hundred. He’s addressing us the audience yet he doesn’t acknowledge us, quietly spoken almost inaudible. He is reading from a notebook in a very mono-toned manner. Then equally as suddenly a voice from the back of the Lyric Theatre booms through. We have now been introduced to our 2 characters.
Arthur Kipps played by David Acton and The Actor played by Mathew Spencer, both parts were acted to perfection. I felt I was watching true craftsmen at work. The stage is basically a play within a play, the key is to allow your imagination to run riot which isn’t hard.
As much as we are watching storytellers at work, I felt somewhat like I was back in school during drama lessons where we would be instructed by our our teacher,especially during the pony and trap discussion using an old theatre basket and rocking. I immediately felt an affinity to Arthur Kipps, a small nervous man but with a quiet determination to tell his story.
The building tension was there for all to see, the woman in black is she seen by all the characters? Is she an actress we have yet to be introduced to? My imagination was vividly seeing all sorts of possibilities. The use of lighting (Kevin Sleep) was excellent and encouraged me to relax and also wonder what was happening off stage, what is still to come. By the time the story had gotten into full swing, I must confess I had totally forgotten I was watching The actor delivering Arthur Kipps dialogue but he had become Arthur Kipps who in-turn was interchanging as every other character. David Acton was a true master at work seeing his instant transformation from meek and mild Arthur Kipps, meaning a change in gait and accent were all totally and convincingly believable. The sound effects (Gareth Owen) help the audience as equally as the lighting does, the brilliance of this play is its simplicity. How it toys with the audience, encouraging us to see things that aren’t there. With this play Theatre rules over Hollywood with a power we have forgotten. Films show us things the Director wishes, the actors deliver their characters to their own interpretations. This play gives a little more than a book, it sets the scene but then adds to your senses and you fill in the blanks yourself. You don’t feel silly laughing as the humour is real, nor do you wonder were you the only one to jump as I can testify the number of sighs that were probably occurring alongside beating hearts was definitely more than just mine.
I can say honestly I look forward to seeing this play again. You should see it and witness the emotion for yourself, I guarantee you will enjoy the dramatics and be left wanting to see more.