(PW Productions)
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| Malcolm James as Arthur Kipps & Matt Connor as The Actor |
Susan Hill’s supernatural thriller makes a welcome return to
Malvern Theatres this week. Brilliantly adapted for the stage by the late,
Stephen Mallatratt, The Woman In Black is touring again while it continues to
enjoy over quarter of a century in the West End.
In an attempt to exorcise the night terrors that plague his
sleep, ageing lawyer, Arthur Kipps, hires an actor to help him tell his story
of the unsettling events that took place when, in his younger days, he was sent
up north to attend the funeral of Mrs Alice Drablow and to put her affairs in
order. A frosty reception from the locals leaves him bemused until he
experiences a series of unnatural events that unravel a past tragedy with fatal
repercussions.
Robin Herford directs a stagecraft masterclass, transforming
a relatively bare stage with a bit of furniture into a variety of locations,
including the sinister Eel Marsh House and treacherous Nine Lives Causeway, superbly
enhanced by the lighting and sound skills of Kevin Sleep and Gareth Owen,
respectively.
Malcolm James is perfect as Kipps who, with support and
encouragement from his theatrical muse, explores a catalogue of engaging characters
vital in the telling of his tale. The monumental role of The Actor is slickly portrayed
by Matt Connor, whose focus is faultless, as he confronts the demon that dwells
in the darkness. Ailidh Ogilvie is wonderfully unnerving as the infamous Woman
in Black and successfully haunts the proceeding.
The play has quite a following, whether down to the recent
movie or it being a popular school trip or simply it’s reputation as a scary
experience. Whatever the reason, it is a joy to see a packed auditorium
mid-week and so many younger theatregoers thoroughly enjoying live performance.
Although the more modern Festival Theatre lacks the
atmosphere of London’s creepy Fortune Theatre, the home of this spine-chilling
story, mostly due to the brightness of the Fire Exit signs, this is still a
thoroughly entertaining night out, with plenty of frights, and is well worth
seeing even if only for the impressive art of creative storytelling so
beautifully demonstrated.
5 stars
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