Theatre Royal Brighton is a bastion of the performing arts with a rich history dating back to 1807. The auditorium of the Grade II* listed building, which is located at the heart of the city’s cultural quarter, represents an example of the finest Regency architecture. Here audiences are transported to worlds both fantastical and chilling, none more so than in the upcoming production of “The Woman in Black”.
Susan Hill has been a professional writer for over fifty years. Her books have won awards and prizes including the Whitbread, the John Llewellyn Rhys and the Somerset Maugham; and have been shortlisted for the Booker. Her other novels include “Strange Meeting”, “I’m the King of the Castle”, “A Kind Man” and “From The Heart”. The play of her ghost story The Woman in Black has been running in London’s West End since 1989.
Over 33 years The Woman In Black has played over 13,000 performances in the West End and been seen by over 7 million people in the UK. In June 2019 the production celebrated its 30th Anniversary in London’s West End with a special gala performance.
The Woman In Black In Brighton From the 27th of February until 2nd of March
Written by the acclaimed author Susan Hill, “The Woman in Black” has captivated audiences for over three decades with its narrative and haunting atmosphere. What began as a modest adaptation of Hill’s novel has blossomed into a theatrical phenomenon which will be hitting theatres around the UK for months
The play, adapted by Stephen Mallatratt, weaves a tale of mystery and suspense as it follows a lawyer haunted by a malevolent spectre known as the Woman in Black. As he enlists the help of a young actor to recount his harrowing experiences, the lines between reality and illusion blur, plunging both characters and the audience into a world of dread and uncertainty. The play is directed by Robin Herford, with designs by Michael Holt and lighting by Kevin Sleep.
Malcolm James returns to The Woman in Black having first played Arthur Kipps on a UK Tour and then at the Fortune Theatre. His other West End credits include The Mousetrap at St. Martin’s Theatre and Volpone at the National Theatre. His on-screen credits include HBO’s My Dinner with Herve, Secret Invasion on Disney+, the BBC’s Doctors and EastEnders, ITV’s Coronation Street and The Bill. On radio he has been heard on Letters to an Icon, The History Man and several afternoon dramas all on BBC Radio 4.
Mark Hawkins first played The Actor in The Woman in Black at the Fortune Theatre and The Madinat Theatre. His other theatrical credits include The Railway Children at Kings Cross Theatre, Julius Caesar at The Globe, the UK tour of Lady Chatterley’s Lover and the international tour of The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. His television credits include HBO’s The Nevers and ITV’s Vera.
The touring cast is completed by Jon de Ville (The Sound of Music UK Tour, Netflix’s Scoop, BBC’s Strike) as understudy Arthur Kipps and Dominic Price (The Woman in Black) as understudy The Actor.
According to Hill, “The play is very true to the book and yet simultaneously very different by nature of being a piece of theatre.” It’s this unique blend of fidelity to the source material and innovative theatricality that has cemented “The Woman in Black” as a timeless classic. Hill also added “The great thing about the show is that it really does use the theatre, the stage, and it makes the audience work. Stephen Mallatratt’s writing makes you use your imagination, and that’s the brilliance of it and also what makes some elements all the more scary!”
Whether you’re a seasoned theatre-goer or a newcomer to the stage, “The Woman in Black” promises an evening of thrills. The show will tour extensively, visiting Theatre Royal Brighton from Tuesday 27 February to Saturday 2 March 2024. Children are welcome to the show as long as they are 12+.
Address: New Rd, Brighton, BN1 1SD
Book tickets here: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-woman-in-black/theatre-royal
