The Woman in Black October 23, 2009

The Woman in Black
Written by Stephen Mallatrat
From the book by Susan Hill
Directed by Ian Walker

This winter thriller is the bone-chilling, insidiously eerie story of young Arthur Kipps, a solicitor sent to a remote house on England's bleak East Coast. Here, Mrs. Alice Drablow, a stern and cruel woman, lived and died. Unaware of the tragic secrets that lie behind the shuttered windows, Kipps has been sent to sort out her estate. The locals believe the house is cursed, and refuse to talk about the mysterious woman in black who lurks in the marshes. But when he is forced to spend a night alone in the mansion, cut off from the mainland by the rising tide, the horrifying truth reveals itself. "One of the most brilliantly effective spine-chillers you will ever encounter," writes The Daily Telegraph.

The Woman in Black is a smash hit from the England where it is the second longest running show in London. It treads in the footsteps of the classic ghost story, following the tradition of Charles Dickens, Henry James, and Edgar Allen Poe. Not just an audience favorite, The Woman in Black is the winner of multiple awards (LA Times Critics Choice, 4 Drama Critics Circle Awards, and a Backstage West Critics Pick).

More About the Production

The Woman in Black is based on Susan Hill's novel of the same name, and adapted for the stage by Stephen Mallatratt. Underpinning the seemingly straightforward ghost story are reverberations of class and gender that were typical of the time period, and which still resonate today. The script, with its multiple parts for two actors, is also a glorious celebration of the art of theatre and the possibilities of imagination. In presenting The Woman in Black, we hope to inspire audiences to engage more-and more deeply-with local theatre, and we'll be providing opportunities for them to be involved not just with Second Wind but with a host of other companies.

Official Website: http://www.secondwindtheatre.com