The Woman in Black - is a masterful tale of suspense, atmosphere, and supernatural horror

The Woman in Black

I was part of a packed audience to see The Woman in Black on its opening night in Sydney on July 31, 2024, at Theatre Royal Sydney.

The play is a classic ghost story based on Susan Hill's 1983 book of the same name. The play is directed by Robin Herford and has been running in the West End for over 30 years. This amazing Australian production features two talented actors, John Waters and Daniel MacPherson, who take on various roles. The chemistry between the two of them is outstanding. Being the only two on stage, their timing of saying their lines is spot on.  

John Waters is a talented actor, singer and writer. He has a wealth of experience in front of TV cameras and on stage in the UK and Australia. His many stage appearances include Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar. You may remember John on TV shows such as Play School, All Saints, All the Rivers Run, Rush, Division 4, The Man from Snowy River and Offspring. His many movie credits include Blaze and Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears. As an accomplished musician, he has produced several albums and toured in his self written one-man stage show featuring the music of John Lennon. In The Woman in Black, John excels in all his acting scenes, as well as his "non-acting" scenes. It would take a great amount of skill for a talented actor to appear to be not acting on stage. 

Daniel Macpherson

Daniel Macpherson is one of Australia's leading actors. He has appeared in many feature movies such as Disney's A Wrinkle in Time and TV shows such as Neighbours, The Bill, City Homicide and Wild Boys. He has hosted series of Dancing with the Stars and X-Factor. His other interests include Iron Man Triathlons, music and horses. Daniel does an excellent job in acting his various roles in The Woman in Black. 

The Woman in Black follows the story of Arthur Kipps, (played by John Waters), who engages a skeptical your actor (played by Daniel Macpherson) to tell his life story. The story tells of a young solicitor who is sent to the remote village of Crythin Gifford to settle the estate of a deceased client, the late Mrs. Alice Drablow. Upon arrival, Kipps discovers that the villagers are reluctant to discuss Mrs. Drablow or her mansion, Eel Marsh House. As Kipps spends more time in the village, he begins to experience strange and terrifying occurrences. He sees a ghostly figure of a woman in black, who is believed to be the spirit of Mrs. Drablow's sister, Jennet Humfrye.

Through a series of flashbacks, the story reveals that Jennet was a vengeful spirit who died under tragic circumstances. She was separated from her child, and her spirit has been seeking revenge ever since.

As Kipps delves deeper into the mystery, he uncovers a dark secret surrounding Mrs. Drablow's death and the tragic events that occurred at Eel Marsh House. The ghostly apparitions escalate, and Kipps realizes that he must confront the vengeful spirit to uncover the truth.

In the play "The Woman in Black," the character known as "The Actor" (played by Daniel McPherson), is a unique and intriguing element of the story.

The Actor is a mysterious figure who hires the services of the young solicitor, Arthur Kipps, to help him tell the story of his terrifying experiences at Eel Marsh House. The Actor claims to be a seasoned performer who has taken on the role of Kipps in order to retell the story in a more engaging and dramatic way.

Throughout the play, The Actor takes on multiple roles, including Kipps, the Woman in Black, and other characters. He uses his acting skills to bring the story to life, creating a sense of tension and suspense.

The Actor's true identity and motivations are slowly revealed as the play progresses. It becomes clear that he is, in fact, an older version of Arthur Kipps himself, who has been haunted by the events of his past for many years.

The Actor's character serves as a clever device to frame the story, allowing the audience to experience the events of the play through multiple layers. His presence adds a sense of meta-theater, blurring the lines between reality and performance.

The Actor's role is a testament to the power of storytelling and the enduring impact of traumatic events on our lives. Through his performance, he seeks to exorcise the demons of his past and find closure, making for a haunting and unforgettable theatrical experience.

The story builds up to a chilling climax, where Kipps faces the Woman in Black in a final confrontation. The ending is a tragic and haunting conclusion to the story, leaving the reader with a lasting sense of unease.

John Waters

The set design for the Sydney production of The Woman in Black was a crucial element in creating the eerie and suspenseful atmosphere of the play. Designed by Michael Holt, the sets featured a minimalist approach, with a focus on simplicity and versatility. He used a combination of backdrops, props, and lighting to create multiple locations. The stage featured a striking and eerie design for Eel Marsh House, including a large door, that created a sense of foreboding. He used props and set dressing to create a sense of decay and neglect. The Marsh was created by raised ramps that created a sense of depth and isolation.

Overall, the set design for The Woman in Black Sydney production was highly effective in creating a chilling and suspenseful atmosphere, drawing the audience into the world of the play and heightening the sense of tension and fear.

The sound and lighting design for the Sydney production of The Woman in Black were crucial elements in creating the eerie and suspenseful atmosphere of the play.

The sound design, created by Sebastian Frost, used a combination of sound effects, music, and silence to build tension and create jump scares, where some of the audience, including the person sitting next to me, jumped out of their seats. Sound effects included creaking doors, howling wind, and eerie whispers Music was used sparingly, with a focus on eerie and atmospheric soundscapes.

The lighting was designed by Nick Schlieper. He used a minimalist approach to create a sense of intimacy and isolation. He employed the use of shadows and darkness to create an eerie atmosphere on the stage. Lighting effects included flickering candles, dimming lights, and sudden blackouts.

Some special effects were used to enhance the supernatural elements of the play, included the use of fog, mist, and projection mapping to create eerie and unsettling visuals.

Overall, the sound and lighting design for The Woman in Black Sydney production were highly effective in creating a chilling and suspenseful atmosphere, drawing the audience into the world of the play and heightening the sense of tension and fear.

The Woman in Black

The costume design for the Sydney production of The Woman in Black was a crucial element in creating the eerie and suspenseful atmosphere of the play. The costumes featured a minimalist approach, with a focus on simplicity and authenticity. The costumes fabrics and textures used a muted color palette, mainly being blacks, grays, and brown. The costumes used a range of fabrics, including wool, cotton, and silk, to create a sense of authenticity and they used different textures, such as lace, velvet, and tweed, to add depth and interest to the costumes. They incorporated period-specific details, such as tailcoats and top hats. Costumes were effectively used to distinguish between characters and create a sense of social hierarchy 

The costume for  The Woman in Black featured a striking and eerie design of a long, black tattered dress and a veil. Arthur Kipps' suit was a simple, yet effective, design that reflected Kipps' modest social status. The Actor's costume was a deliberate anachronism, featuring a modern suit and tie, to highlight the Actor's role as a storyteller. Overall, the costume design for The Woman in Black was highly effective in creating a chilling and suspenseful atmosphere, drawing the audience into the world of the play and heightening the sense of tension and fear.

The Woman in Black is a masterful tale of suspense, atmosphere, and supernatural horror that has captivated audiences for decades. It is not all horror, there are some laughs to be had throughout the play.

The Woman in Black ends its Sydney season at the Theatre Royal Sydney on 17 August.

Tickets can be purchased on the Woman in Black website

https://thewomaninblack.com.au/