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The art of making a classic ghost story coming alive on stage lies in the actors being able to relay their own anxiety out into the audience. With this latest production of The Woman in Black being currently staged at The Liverpool Playhouse, then the audience had best prepare themselves to shocked out of their seats because David Acton and Matthew Spencer are both at the very top of their game.
The action takes place, ostensibly, in an empty theatre. The haunted Arthur Kipps (Acton) has a tale to tell and chooses an unnamed Actor (Spencer) to read his manuscript in a manner that gets his story across. As actor’s will, however, a show is decided upon. A show that both men might live to regret telling.
The staging of The Woman in Black is magnificent. The lighting being integral, shadows and nooks and crannies are unveiled by slight of hand at every turn, all of which being underpinned by the superb and, at times, deafeningly loud, sound effects.
Yet it is the actors who truly excel. David Acton gradually transforms brilliantly from the meek and mild solicitor into the multi-rolled everybody else the story needs, whereas having the outstanding Matthew Spencer playing the Actor seems to inject proceedings with yet more vigour.
That the story is set at Christmas and with us being just a week following Halloween may be mere chance this time around, but nevertheless the timing still adds to the atmosphere somewhat, as things go bump, clatter and scream relentlessly after what is a slowly burning, fear inducing start.
With more shakes, shivers and trembles than a Robinson’s jelly on a rollercoaster, this production of The Woman in Black out scares previous touring productions by country house lane and is more than worth a watch on these chilly November nights.
The Woman in Black
The Liverpool Playhouse Theatre
November 7-November 12, 2016
Author: Susan Hill adapted by Stephen Mallatratt
Director: Robin Hereford
Cast: David Acton, Matthew Spencer
Running Time: 2 hrs 20 mins
PR RATING: **** Spine Tingling