For many a connoisseur of theatre,
The Woman in Black needs little introduction. First staged in 1987 on stage in writer Susan Hill’s hometown of Scarborough, this stage adaptation by Stephen Mallatraitt first moved to London in 1989. There it was to stay for over thirty years, before finally taking its last bow in 2023 after 13,232 performances, and the title of the second longest running non-musical play in West End history, second to some show written by someone called Agatha Christie. Beyond the West End run,
The Woman in Black has thrilled audiences on numerous UK tours, the latest of which has now arrived at Milton Keynes Theatre. So, what makes
The Woman in Black so successful?
The simple answer is its simplicity. Susan’s Hill’s tale of Arthur Kipps and his telling of his horrifying experience of attending the funeral of Mrs Alice Drablow and settling her estate as part of his job is simply told, very much in the tradition of tales from renowned ghost storyteller M. R. James and to a lesser extent, Charles Dickens. As well as this simplicity, Malllatrait’s adaptation spins the story on its head and creates the story as a play within a play, and as a result becomes both a comic tale, ghost tale and love letter to the theatre.
The show itself is very much a slow burner, deliberately to bring the audience gently into the story, building brilliant atmosphere, alongside some light comedy as Kipps struggles to “perform” his tale in front of the unnamed actor who is interested in performing his play. With the atmosphere thick by the second act, the scares and creepiness begin to build.
As a two-hander, the tale lies heavily upon the two actors, and they do not falter. Malcolm James is a captivating Mr Kipps and heralds a nice full circle for me, as ten years ago when I first saw The Woman in Black, James was then in the same role. Back then, as he does now, he had a strong understanding of the role, and from the early stages of the story and to the latter, we see, admittedly quickly, through the form of the play, his skills as a performer grow beyond that initial monotone reading of his tale. Alongside James, Mark Hawkins as The Actor has a spring in his step and huge enthusiasm to tell Mr Kipps’ story. Bringing to life the story, with a twinkle in the eye, Hawkins carries effortlessly the bulk of the lines and action. They are a highly effective pairing.
The staging once again for the show is excellent, but, sadly much of the atmosphere does disappear into the vast expanse of the Milton Keynes Theatre as both staging and telling of
The Woman in Black does sit better in a smaller venue.
However, it is, as ever a brilliant opportunity to catch what is a theatre classic if you haven’t yet seen it. Remember though, that the best comes to those who wait patiently, this grows and grows and eventually shows why this is the very success history made it become.
This atmospheric classic stage chiller continues to thrill after over 35 years.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Performance reviewed: Tuesday 2nd April April 2024 at the Milton Keynes Theatre.
Production photos: Mark Douet
