|
|
|
|
|
The Woman in BlackLichfield Garrick
***** ADAPTED from
Susan Hill’s novel by the late Stephen Mallatratt, this production of
The Woman in Black
from P W productions, is not for the feint hearted. The audience is greeted with a simple set of an
old shabby theatre, dusty torn tabs, a chair, stool and a wicker costume
basket as a single man, Arthur Kipps played by David Acton, walks on to
the stage sits quietly for some minutes and then begins to read from a
notebook, nervously and without expression. The audience unsure of the situation giggles
politely at the seemingly odd situation, but this is all explained with
the sudden arrival of a second man, The Actor played by Matthew Spencer. Arthur Kipps is a lawyer who engages The Actor to
help him tell his story to family and friends in the hope of putting to
an end the years of fear and suffering with which his past experiences
have left him. Acton and Spencer give sublime performances,
bringing the audience closer and deeper as the story unravels. Faultless
delivery and a master-class in acting ensure that the audience is fully
immersed in the tension of this hauntingly well written ghost story. The lighting design by Kevin Sleep and Tony
Simpson and the sound design by Gareth Owen and Theo Holloway perfectly
amplify the eeriness and tension. Clever effects, use of props and well
timed acting bring previously unseen areas of the stage into play and
turn the old abandoned theatre into the multiple locations Full of startling
scares, jumps and surprises, this is a not to be missed production for
any lover of the eerie and the macabre. Superbly directed by Robin
Herford with Antony Eden, it had the audience on the edge of their
seats, screaming with delight (and fear). Until 17th
September. Rosemary Manjunath 15-09-16
|
|
|
Index page Lichfield Garrick Reviews A-Z Reviews by Theatre Tweet |
|
|
|
