REVIEW: The Woman in Black at the Fortune Theatre

It has been three decades since the imaginative adaptation of Susan Hill’s 1983 Gothic horror story launched itself onto the London stage. Suspense, surprise and sensational storytelling have always been what has drawn people of all ages to The Woman in Black, and 33 years on, it captivates its audience all the same. Serving as one of the longest-running plays in the West End, can a thirty-year-old production with thirty-year-old set design and special effects still fuel a fearful reaction? Absolutely!

Firstly, a comment must be made about the Fortune Theatre itself; small, intimate and gothic in style, it complements the production to perfection with its eerie ambience and brooding interior. The modest size of the auditorium instils a premeditated apprehension of when and where the woman in black will appear – “We’re sat in the middle, good. We’re safe from her here,” I jested. “That was exactly my thought,” chuckled a man in the row behind me. We were both being completely serious.

REVIEW: The Woman in Black at the Fortune Theatre

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.

REVIEW: Woman in Black at the Fortune Theatre

This week marks the 30th anniversary of Susan Hill’s thriller The Woman in Black on the West End. Adapted for the stage by Stephen Mallatratt, the novel was written in 1983 and has since been made into two films, as well as being a prominent part of schools’ education (it is often the studied material for English GCSE students). This has, as Producer Peter Wilson pointed out at the Gala night on Wednesday ‘lowered the average age of West End audiences… And probably the average ticket price also’. 

The Woman in Black is a gothic horror story; an actor persuades Mr Kipps to tell his ghost story from many years ago. Their recreation tells the tale of how the young Mr Kipps travels to a remote part of England in search of an old woman’s legal documents after her passing. On his arrival, the villagers seem to be keeping a secret from him and he discovers the ghostly tale of a vengeful woman who appears in creepy situations and inexplicably causes the death of children. It is a surprisingly amusing play and has been directed fantastically by Robin Hereford. It is completely admirable that the play has continued for so long without going stale and still has the ability to frighten audiences from all over the world. 

REVIEW: The Woman in Black at The Fortune Theatre, London

*** NO SPOILERS ***

To celebrate National Ghost Hunting Day, Raw PR invited a host of writers and bloggers to attend a special evening of ghostly fun at The Woman In Black at The Fortune Theatre in the heart of London’s West End. Seating only 432 people, it’s one of the smallest theatres in town, especially when you consider how dwarfed they are by their neighbour is the gargantuan Theatre Royal on Drury Lane which seats 2,196 people. The Fortune is a close and intimate theatre - perfect for a spooky evening of storytelling...

Learning of the tales of paranormal history within the theatre set the mood for the evening. We learned of hauntings and presences seen and felt in different areas of the theatre - onstage, back-stage and in the audience (beware if you ever sit in seat F17 of the Royal Circle in early November…!) The anticipation (and nerves) were amped up to eleven and then the show began.