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The Woman in Black

Show Closed
THE
STORY

The Woman in Black West End

  • Theatre

    Fortune Theatre

  • Duration

    120 minutes

  • Age Restrictions

    12+ years

Horror hardly ever works well on stage. Something about theatre stops scares in their tracks. We see the strings, we spot the tricks and we’re braced for things to go bump in the dark. The Woman In Black is the exception to that rule. It is a terrifying theatrical trip.

The second longest-running play in the West End, this startling two-man show has set audiences screaming for 30 years. A thrilling, stripped-back adaptation of Susan Hill’s classic gothic novella, it’s secret is simple: it relies almost entirely on an audience’s imagination. All the scares it springs happen in your head. Or do they?

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Solicitor Arthur Kipps has rented a theatre and hired an actor to help him recount a horrifying experience from his past. As a junior, he travelled to the north east coast of England to execute an elderly woman’s will. Alice Drablow lived alone in the eerily remote Eel Marsh House on a causeway that, at high tide, becomes completely cut off from the mainland and Kipps, rifling through her belongings, finds himself trapped.

Attending her funeral he caught sight of a woman dressed in black with a wasted white face and, alone in the Drablow house, he hears unexplained noises out on the marshes: a horse and carriage rearing to a halt, the screams of a child and his maid. In town, he learns the history of the house – a story of a mother, a carriage crash and a dead child. Local legend has it that sightings of her ghost signal the death of a child.

Using only a picnic hamper and a few well-chosen sound effects, two actors conjure the misty and mysterious environs of the coastal marshes at the Fortune Theatre. Originally staged in Scarborough, Stephen Mallatratt’s simple stage adaptation has become a hallmark for horror theatre – one that sends you home uncertain as to whether or not you watched a play or caught sight of a ghost yourself.

Reviews

5 star ratingGreat production & true to the original story. Brilliant production, acting superb and so cleverly done. Captures the essence of the original story (the book) perfectly.
The less said about the film the better so don’t bother with...
read moreBrilliant production, acting superb and so cleverly done. Captures the essence of the original story (the book) perfectly.
The less said about the film the better so don’t bother with this production if you’re expecting a stage version of the film!

Tiny theatre so feels a bit squished but added to the atmosphere. I’m only 5 feet tall and my knees were touching the seat in front. Great view from the dress circle.

Took teens who have studied the book at school at they enjoyed it too.
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2/11/2023
5 star ratingOutstanding Waited years to see this show always mentioned it but never made the trip. Seen several musicals but never a show like this. After reading several mixed reviews was apprehensive... read moreWaited years to see this show always mentioned it but never made the trip. Seen several musicals but never a show like this. After reading several mixed reviews was apprehensive to see what is was like but I shouldn’t have been. Whilst I agree the show definitely picked up in the second act I was captivated by the acting performances throughout the show and considering the whole performance is only two actors I thought they were outstanding. Story was fantastic and the little effects and props the show did use were great. Very sad to hear this show is going would happily watch again. read less
2/09/2023
4 star ratingGreat A very different feel to the film which I greatly appreciated. Captured the essence of the book.
The chairs aisles are so narrow though. I’m 5’9 and still felt squeezed...
read moreA very different feel to the film which I greatly appreciated. Captured the essence of the book.
The chairs aisles are so narrow though. I’m 5’9 and still felt squeezed in.
I’d recommend the aisle seat if you’re 5’11+
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2/06/2023
5 star ratingThe Woman In Black: The Perfect Performance On my way there I was expecting it was going to be terrible, due to the reviews online that I read through. I can thoroughly say I was so wrong,... read moreOn my way there I was expecting it was going to be terrible, due to the reviews online that I read through. I can thoroughly say I was so wrong, I was hooked in the the lore in the first 15 minutes. As a Drama GCSE student myself, I can comfortably say that this performance had the right amount of tension and suspense, aswell as tragedy and mystery. The actors didn't portray the character they ate them and became them, and performed as if it were something out of the olden times. The drama logical techniques used were a wide range, for example they used gate to interpret their characters, and how they live. Body Language and Facial expressions were a 100/10 they perfectly communicated their emotions and message to the audiences. Would definitely go again. Even on a weekend out, with Family or Friends.
WOULD HONESTLY RECOMMEND, FOR DRAMA GCSE STUDENTS OR ANYBODY WHO ENJOYS, A EDGE OF THEIR SEAT EXPERIENCE.
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1/15/2023
5 star ratingFabulous It was fabulous. The acting, storytelling and special effects were amazing.
It was jumpy and spooky at times but no more for me. But I can see how it could...
read moreIt was fabulous. The acting, storytelling and special effects were amazing.
It was jumpy and spooky at times but no more for me. But I can see how it could be terrifying for people less keen on horror stories.
Managed to get front row tickets for just over £30 the day before the show. Leg room was a bit tight for a 6ft2 man but view was great.
I'd really recommend.
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1/12/2023
5 star ratingAn excellent performance! This was an amazing performance! I was not really sure what to expect when I turned up but I was blown away. It was incredibly presented and had me on... read moreThis was an amazing performance! I was not really sure what to expect when I turned up but I was blown away. It was incredibly presented and had me on the edge of my seat the entire time (except for the bits I was jumping from a scare). I would definitely recommend giving this a watch. read less
12/02/2022
5 star ratingVery entertaining I really enjoyed it. I haven’t been to see a play before where it is ok to audibly shriek! My friend and I were very scared perhaps in part... read moreI really enjoyed it. I haven’t been to see a play before where it is ok to audibly shriek! My friend and I were very scared perhaps in part as we were sitting on the front row and so were very near to the action. I didn’t expect it to be funny as well, but I chuckled out loud quite a few times. I feel like the comedy made it much less stuffy than it might otherwise have been. The actors were great. A fab play to watch in the run up to Halloween! read less
10/14/2022
5 star ratingFantastic and captivating show! This show was fantastic, and I was gasping and jumping along with the rest of the audience! It was the perfect ending to our UK vacation and I would absolutely... read moreThis show was fantastic, and I was gasping and jumping along with the rest of the audience! It was the perfect ending to our UK vacation and I would absolutely recommend it to theater-lovers, ghost-story lovers, and people that want a fun and exciting experience! read less
10/09/2022
5 star ratingThere's a reason it's lasted so long.. Masterful storytelling via a classy production & stellar acting. Perfectly paced & genuinely scary at times.
*I do think if the theatre removed popcorn it would help remove about 50%...
read moreMasterful storytelling via a classy production & stellar acting. Perfectly paced & genuinely scary at times.
*I do think if the theatre removed popcorn it would help remove about 50% of the negative reviews though..
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10/09/2022
5 star rating5 STARS A stellar performance, really enjoyable & fun night. Ignore all of the bad reviews and go and watch this play to prove them all wrong. We got our tickets last... read moreA stellar performance, really enjoyable & fun night. Ignore all of the bad reviews and go and watch this play to prove them all wrong. We got our tickets last minute and for only £13 you couldn't knock it. Very entertaining and very intense. Hats off to the two actors!! read less
9/01/2022
4 star ratingMixed To the reviewer who claimed that anyone bored by this play is “uncultured”, I say this; we’ve waited twenty years to see this play after our train never turned up... read moreTo the reviewer who claimed that anyone bored by this play is “uncultured”, I say this; we’ve waited twenty years to see this play after our train never turned up the first time and we finally got around to it again, and actually some of us have read several Susan Hill books but it *was* boring (at times).

We enjoyed every part; the brilliant acting, the unusual narrative, the skilful suspense-building . but the woman in black herself was like a pantomime character. You can’t say, after over 30 years, they haven’t accrued enough funding or MUA talent to make her actually look menacing! She just looked like a little old woman with wrinkles and blue eyes; maybe a bit tired, but not “young, with a wasted face” ‍️.

Big thumbs up to the staging/props department m, because they got the chair absolutely right, and it was moments like that which saved the reputation as a horror/ghost story.
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9/01/2022
5 star ratingEnchanted form start to finish Honestly it’s captivating and brilliantly portrayed no joke, I was enthralled from start to finish, my 16yr old who hasn’t read the book or seen the film absolutely loved it too.
8/05/2022
5 star ratingGood Fun, Good Play A great play. Two guys create an entire performance that asks your imagination to get involved. Well acted and and delivered. To those reviewing this as boring, one has to... read moreA great play. Two guys create an entire performance that asks your imagination to get involved. Well acted and and delivered. To those reviewing this as boring, one has to imagine they're not the most cultured folks. I'd ignore any reviews painting this as boring or dull.

Go see it and have some fun while you're at it.
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7/27/2022
5 star ratingWell worth the watch! So immersive and scary, we sat in the middle row in the stalls and I would recommend to anyone to get a seat in the stalls to get the full... read moreSo immersive and scary, we sat in the middle row in the stalls and I would recommend to anyone to get a seat in the stalls to get the full experience. Fantastic from start to finish, will definitely be seeing again. read less
7/09/2022
5 star ratingOne of my favourite shows! Honestly have NO idea how this has bad reviews. I guess it’s a love it or hate it kind of show. I found myself captured by the story and absolutely... read moreHonestly have NO idea how this has bad reviews. I guess it’s a love it or hate it kind of show. I found myself captured by the story and absolutely loved every minute. Well worth a visit if you enjoy using your imagination and a good few scares! read less
6/04/2022
5 star ratingBrilliant! An excellent play with great acting. We really enjoyed the performance and it seemed everyone else did too - don’t listen to the negative reviews, the play was... read moreAn excellent play with great acting. We really enjoyed the performance and it seemed everyone else did too - don’t listen to the negative reviews, the play was brilliant from start to finish! read less
5/19/2022
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CAST
CREATIVE

Cast and Creative

Cast

Stuart Fox – Arthur Kipps
Mathew Spencer – The Actor
Robert Gill – Understudy, Arthur Kipps
Raymond Rose – Understudy, The Actor

Creative

Stephen Mallatratt – Playwright
Susan Hill – Author
Robin Herford – Director
Michael Holt – Designer
Kevin Sleep – Lighting Designer
Rod Mead – Original Sound Design
Gareth Owen – Sound Designer
Nina Deiana – Vision Productions
Jon Huyton – Stage management
Julia Crammer – Stage management
Emily Ida – Stage management
PW Productions – Producers

INFO

Woman in Black – London

Woman in Black Tickets

Choose your seats via our live booking platform. Once payment is completed, you will receive an email confirmation with your booking reference number and eTickets.

Upon arrival at the venue, display the eTickets on your phone or show the box office a printed ticket.

Which Theatre

The Woman in Black is showing at the Fortune Theatre, located at Russell Street, Covent Garden, London WC2B 5HH.

Any Questions

If you have any questions about your ticket purchase, you can contact our customer services team on 020 3670 8887

Good to Know

Strobe lighting is used several times during the performance.

Age Recommendation

The Woman in Black is recommended for ages twelve and above.

Can I Video or Take Photos?

The use of camera and sound recording equipment is strictly prohibited.

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