THE WOMAN IN BLACK

By Kelly Jackson | @kellyjackson88 | Press Invite

Woman in Black is an institution. I know this because the first time I saw it was 14 years ago as part of my college course when I was studying theatre studies. The play has been running since 1989 and is based on Susan Hill’s novel of the same name (which is a great read if you are up for something spooky).

I remember the time I went with the college I was quite star-struck by everything “London”, and being just off of the main square of Covent Garden gives the Fortune some of it’s magic. I’m pleased to report that a trip to the Fortune is still every bit as exciting as it was when I was 18.

The theatre itself is fairly small, which lends itself to the incredible method used to tell the story of seemingly normal Mr Kipps, who has been carrying his tale around for the majority of his life, afraid to unleash the burden onto others. It isn’t an accident that there is a slightly claustrophobic atmosphere.

There are only three actors in the entire play, and fairly few props are used. In adding to the narrative the fact that Mr Kipps is giving the performance to tell his story, the actors are able to make explanations to the audience without having to break the fourth wall. It isn’t a coincidence that this play is still studied by theatre study students today, in fact, a coach load of them sat above me while I was there (they were really well-behaved in case you wondered).

The first half of the play is all about building suspense, and you could be forgiven for thinking you were watching a Hithcock production like Rear Window or The Birds. We see a young Kipps go off to deal with the estate of a lonely old lady in a creepy town by the sea. The only way on and off of the island, Alice Drablow’s house, is located on is by a causeway, so when the tide is in Mr Kipps is completely isolated in the house. Unfortunately, I was unwell and had to leave just before the interval. This is the place where I give a shout out to the staff at The Fortune, who were so nice to me.

Although I’ve seen the play before, I think that actually made me more gutted I couldn’t stay for the second half. If the first half is setting the scene, the second half really is all about the action. The slow-build finally leads up to Kipps coming to the end of his story. I’m not going to ruin it by telling you the ending, of course, but it’s spectacular. There is a lot to get lost in when you go to the theatre nowadays. Special celebrity guests, special effects, and interactive experiences seem to be taking over the West End. But the reason Woman in Black has been successful since 1989 is because it gets down to the core of what people want when they visit the theatre: a REALLY good story.

Tickets can be purchased now from the London Box Office