Everyone has heard at least one ghost story, the art of regaling tales of ghosts, spirits and spectres has become the stuff of legend and Susan Hill’s novel ‘The Woman In Black’ has been that one story for many for over 30 years.
The premise is very simple, two actors on stage the whole time, Arthur Kipps (Terence Wilton) hires an actor (Max Hutchinson) to tell his story to finally be free of the horrors that have followed him his whole life. In terms of the show, however, there is nothing simple about the two actors. The chemistry and ability to work off each other enable the show to flow quickly and crisply without feeling it drags at all and keeps maximum suspense.
As for the set itself (by Michael Holt), it is simple at its finest, yet it works effortlessly. The items of furniture and draped sheets doubling up as both a room and graveyard make for excellent use of props. That combined with the Fortune Theatre and its interior adds to the eerie feeling throughout and once the lights dim it feels more like we’re living the story rather than watching.At one point small casts were almost considered the way forward with the global pandemic, yet this show continues to show why aside from the current guidelines, its two-person show can challenge even the biggest productions and grip an audience without the theatricals, just a simple scare.
It seems the smallest things can scare a person, a creaky floorboard, the shadow in the distance, the noise from upstairs, our mind begins to imagine the worst. And after over a year dark, Mallatratt’s terrific adaption of Susan Hill’s terrifying ghost story is back and ready to leave you thinking that creak, shadow and noise is far worse than you’d first expected…
Review by George Butler
Rating: ★★★★
Seat: C11, Stalls | Price of Ticket: £55
