Woman In Black

***
Everybody tells you that Woman In Black is frightening, so the first act was pretty disappointing, the one moment that I felt a hint of fear was when we see the woman in black walking through the graveyard (that turns out to be her sister's). My intial disappointment soon disappeared as it dawned on me the first act was to lull you into a false sense of security. The second act was terrifying.

I appreciate the writer's ability to recreate a fear in an audience of grown adults, that resembles that of a child in the innocent fear of the dark and not knowing what lurks there. By the end of the play I was curled up in my seat, as if hiding meant the woman in black wouldn't find me, feeling as if there is something lurking in the dark and likely to place it's icy hand on your shoulder. All of this is created by the woman in black's entrance in the stalls and fear she may appear again, the audience feels the same intense fear Kipps (Andrew Jarvis) feels in the deserted house; combined with a curiosity for this mysterious spectre's story, and her relationship with the equally strange old woman whose documents Kipp's is going through as he is a solicitor. Kipps who is so disturbed by what happened, he records the memory of it and wishing to perform the story to his friends and family, seeks the help of an actor (Timothy Watson) who adapts the story for the stage and plays Kipps, while Kipps takes on the numerous roles of the people he encountered in his story.

Stage veteran Andrew Jarvis admirably takes on the challenge of changing his voice and character like a shapeshifter, but Timothy Watson brings a vivacity to the play. The play utilises sound and lighting with unbelievable skill to bring Kipp's story to life in the barren theatre they rehearse in.

Despite my admiration, I still cannot help but feel I wasted an hour in that first act. There is nothing original about the play, but it is displays what traditional theatre is, and that tricks and magic aren't necessary when you just have a good story.

Veronica Grubb