The Woman in Black
The Palace Theatre, Westcliff-on-Sea
Monday 9th January to Saturday 14th January 2017
The Palace Theatre, Westcliff-on-Sea
Monday 9th January to Saturday 14th January 2017
What is it with some people in that they just love to be scared? Myself, well, I’ll be the first to admit that just the thought of watching a scary film brings me out in a cold sweat. I couldn’t sleep for weeks after watching A Nightmare on Elm Street and getting up for anything in the middle of the night was a most definite ‘no no’ after seeing The Sixth Sense and envisioning an old lady spirit wandering up and down the landing.
So, it was with slight trepidation that I ventured out on a wet winter’s evening to The Palace Theatre to see The Woman in Black. The production has been adapted by Stephen Mallatratt from Susan Hill’s novel and is possibly more well known with younger theatre-goers from the 2012 movie starring Daniel Radcliffe of Harry Potter fame.
There are some people who simply cannot get enough of this show, returning to see it every time the cast changes (every nine months) and one particular friend of mine has seen the production no less than eleven times! It has been in production for over 27 years at the Fortune Theatre in the West End and touring since 1989 and it would appear that its popularity is far from dwindling, with Westcliff's Palace Theatre packed full of eager patrons waiting to chilled to the bone on the production's opening night.
The Woman in Black 's main character is Arthur Kipps, who has a story to tell which he believes will exorcise the ghost of the Woman in Black who he feels is haunting him. The tale begins on Christmas Eve, when Arthur's step-children invite him to tell a ghost story. Arthur is too disturbed by his memories to share his story aloud, so he writes it down and invites an actor to help him re-enact his haunting tale to an invited audience.
It begins with a young Kipps, a junior solicitor, who is sent to settle the affairs of Alice Drablow. He sees a woman dressed in black at her funeral, though apparently no one else does. At Eel Marsh House, a house beyond a causeway, Arthur is haunted by noises and sightings of the woman.
So, it was with slight trepidation that I ventured out on a wet winter’s evening to The Palace Theatre to see The Woman in Black. The production has been adapted by Stephen Mallatratt from Susan Hill’s novel and is possibly more well known with younger theatre-goers from the 2012 movie starring Daniel Radcliffe of Harry Potter fame.
There are some people who simply cannot get enough of this show, returning to see it every time the cast changes (every nine months) and one particular friend of mine has seen the production no less than eleven times! It has been in production for over 27 years at the Fortune Theatre in the West End and touring since 1989 and it would appear that its popularity is far from dwindling, with Westcliff's Palace Theatre packed full of eager patrons waiting to chilled to the bone on the production's opening night.
The Woman in Black 's main character is Arthur Kipps, who has a story to tell which he believes will exorcise the ghost of the Woman in Black who he feels is haunting him. The tale begins on Christmas Eve, when Arthur's step-children invite him to tell a ghost story. Arthur is too disturbed by his memories to share his story aloud, so he writes it down and invites an actor to help him re-enact his haunting tale to an invited audience.
It begins with a young Kipps, a junior solicitor, who is sent to settle the affairs of Alice Drablow. He sees a woman dressed in black at her funeral, though apparently no one else does. At Eel Marsh House, a house beyond a causeway, Arthur is haunted by noises and sightings of the woman.
The two characters in the play, Arthur Kipps and The Actor are played respectively by David Acton and Matthew Spencer. At first I wondered if we were ever going to get on with the re-telling of the story, as there is such a big play made of Kipps’ inability to ‘act’ which although mildly amusing, really made me think, “Just get on with it!” However, once they got going, the storytelling was completely compelling and both actors were hugely impressive in their roles.
An integral part of being swept up into the heights of thrilling suspense in this production, is to allow our imaginations to take over. Aiding this suspense and proving that this is an absolute possibility, the two actors make full use of a minimal set and along with the excellent lighting, sound and projection, they succeed in making just a clothes rail, a large wicker basket and a few chairs on stage become an office, a horse and cart, a church, a train as well as various rooms of the old house.
It is thanks to the skill of the sound and lighting design and the wonderful performances of Acton and Spencer, that we are completely drawn into this imaginary world, which as the programme states, ‘takes place in this Theatre about one hundred years ago’. Given the rumour that the Palace Theatre has its very own ghost, it doesn’t take much to be convinced. The 105 year old Palace theatre's intimate Edwardian setting is perfectly conducive for creating the claustrophobic and tense atmosphere needed to send tingles through the spine and the anticipation of this lingers throughout the play; especially in Act 2 where a number of school children in the audience actually screamed in terror (followed by post-shock nervous giggles). This, I expect, is why there is a suggested age limit of 12 and over to see the production and those of a very nervous disposition need certainly not apply!
This play is very much all about the art of theatre - after all, every theatrical performance is essentially a story being played out for its audiences and The Woman in Black is a story that I am sure will continue to be told many more times in the future. After all, who doesn't enjoy a good old ghost story?
Having jumped out of my skin numerous times throughout this performance, I still can’t say that I’ve been converted into enjoying being scared like some people; but for a spine tingling evening of supernatural shocks and great theatre, be sure to get your tickets - you never know, you may even get to see the theatre’s very own 'woman in black'!
Tickets are available online www.southendtheatres.org.uk or call the box office on 01702 351135
An integral part of being swept up into the heights of thrilling suspense in this production, is to allow our imaginations to take over. Aiding this suspense and proving that this is an absolute possibility, the two actors make full use of a minimal set and along with the excellent lighting, sound and projection, they succeed in making just a clothes rail, a large wicker basket and a few chairs on stage become an office, a horse and cart, a church, a train as well as various rooms of the old house.
It is thanks to the skill of the sound and lighting design and the wonderful performances of Acton and Spencer, that we are completely drawn into this imaginary world, which as the programme states, ‘takes place in this Theatre about one hundred years ago’. Given the rumour that the Palace Theatre has its very own ghost, it doesn’t take much to be convinced. The 105 year old Palace theatre's intimate Edwardian setting is perfectly conducive for creating the claustrophobic and tense atmosphere needed to send tingles through the spine and the anticipation of this lingers throughout the play; especially in Act 2 where a number of school children in the audience actually screamed in terror (followed by post-shock nervous giggles). This, I expect, is why there is a suggested age limit of 12 and over to see the production and those of a very nervous disposition need certainly not apply!
This play is very much all about the art of theatre - after all, every theatrical performance is essentially a story being played out for its audiences and The Woman in Black is a story that I am sure will continue to be told many more times in the future. After all, who doesn't enjoy a good old ghost story?
Having jumped out of my skin numerous times throughout this performance, I still can’t say that I’ve been converted into enjoying being scared like some people; but for a spine tingling evening of supernatural shocks and great theatre, be sure to get your tickets - you never know, you may even get to see the theatre’s very own 'woman in black'!
Tickets are available online www.southendtheatres.org.uk or call the box office on 01702 351135
Ask the Audience
Gill Hodder, Langdon Hills
“I thought it was a bit quiet at first and wasn’t sure how it would pan out but it soon picked up. I thought the actors worked really well together. The suspense was so good and really made me jump.”
James Harrington, Rayleigh
“I thought the acting was really good, especially considering that they were the only two performing the play. It definitely made me jump!”
“I thought it was a bit quiet at first and wasn’t sure how it would pan out but it soon picked up. I thought the actors worked really well together. The suspense was so good and really made me jump.”
James Harrington, Rayleigh
“I thought the acting was really good, especially considering that they were the only two performing the play. It definitely made me jump!”
