Review: The Woman in Black

Last night we headed to the Grand Theatre in Blackpool for the opening night of The Woman in Black. After an incredible 30 years of success in London’s West End, the show is once again on tour bringing Stephen Mallatratt’s stage version of Susan Hill’s horror to audiences across the country. 

The story follows old man Arthur Kipps using the skills of a young actor to share the horrifying tales of his past. However, as they rehearse in the empty theatre, the play and real life blur into one. The natural creepiness of an empty theatre is exploited perfectly and allows the audience to feel almost like ghostly onlookers.

The pitch-black staging is eerily simplistic which effectively sets the scene for the spine-tingling drama to come. Specifically, the use of subtle lighting and smoke allows the audience to wonder what terrors may lurk beyond the manor. There was certainly a feeling of tension (and a bit of nervous laughter) around the theatre as the inevitable ‘jumpy’ moments drew nearer.

It is here where the show truly excels itself. The unnerving figure of ‘The Woman in Black’ appears where you would least expect her and leaves you wondering where she will emerge next. The shrieks and gasps of horror each time the hatchet-faced, funereally-garbed woman revealed herself, rippled through the Grand Theatre in seconds. These moments authentically deliver the ‘shock factor’ without any need for blood, guts, gore or special effects. They have truly stood the test of time and prove that sometimes: less is more.

In amongst the shock-induced terror, the captivating storytelling throughout keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. In particular, the twist at the end of the show is especially surprising. The production is definitely a couple of hours well spent and I’m certain anyone hoping to be spooked will not be disappointed!

BOOK YOUR TICKETS FOR THE WOMAN IN BLACK HERE. 

See the full UK tour listings for 2019 – 2020 below:

WEDNESDAY 11 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 14 SEPTEMBER

Blackpool Grand Theatre

MONDAY 16 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 21 SEPTEMBER

Cheltenham Everyman Theatre

MONDAY 23 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 28 SEPTEMBER

Southampton Nuffield Theatre

MONDAY 30 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 5 OCTOBER

Royal & Derngate, Northampton

MONDAY 7 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 12 OCTOBER

Sheffield Lyceum

MONDAY 28 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 2 NOVEMBER

The Orchard, Dartford

TUESDAY 5 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 9 NOVEMBER

Regent Theatre, Stoke

TUESDAY 12 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 16 NOVEMBER

York Theatre Royal

TUESDAY 26 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 30 NOVEMBER

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

MONDAY 13 JANUARY – SATURDAY 18 JANUARY 2020

Southend Palace Theatre

MONDAY 20 JANUARY – SATURDAY 25 JANUARY

CURVE, Leicester 

MONDAY 27 JANUARY – SATURDAY 1 FEBRUARY

Liverpool Playhouse

MONDAY 3 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 8 FEBRUARY

King’s Theatre, Southsea

MONDAY 24 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 29 FEBRUARY

Cambridge Arts Theatre

TUESDAY 3 MARCH – SATURDAY 7 MARCH

The Princess Theatre, Torquay

MONDAY 9 MARCH – SATURDAY 14 MARCH

Crewe Lyceum Theatre 

MONDAY 16 MARCH – SATURDAY 21 MARCH

Oxford Playhouse

MONDAY 23 MARCH – SATURDAY 28 MARCH

Forum Theatre Billingham

TUESDAY 14 APRIL – SATURDAY 18 APRIL

Hull New Theatre

MONDAY 20 APRIL – SATURDAY 25 APRIL

King’s Theatre Edinburgh

MONDAY 27 APRIL – SATURDAY 2 MAY

Churchill Theatre, Bromley

TUESDAY 5 MAY – SATURDAY 9 MAY

Nottingham Theatre Royal

MONDAY 11 MAY – SATURDAY 16 MAY

Malvern Theatres