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The Woman in Black: A Ghost Play
The framework of this spine tingler is unusual: a lawyer hires an actor to tutor him in recounting to family and friends a story that has long troubled him concerning events that transpired when he attended the funeral of an elderly recluse. There he caught sight of the woman in black, the mere mention of whom terrifies the locals, for she is a specter who haunts the neighborhood where her illegitimate child was accidentally killed. Anyone who sees her dies! The lawyer has invited some friends to watch as he and the actor recreate the events of that dark and stormy night. A classic of the genre.
62 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
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379 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Mallatratt
2 books4 followersStephen Mallatratt was an English playwright, actor, television screenwriter and a graduate of London’s Central School for Speech and Drama. He is best known for his television work on the ITV series Coronation Street, The Forsyte Saga (2002) and Island at War (2004), and for his stage adaptation of the novel The Woman in Black. He was also an actor, appearing in minor roles in Chariots of Fire and Brideshead Revisited. He died of leukaemia in 2004.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
February 15, 2018
No, this is not a mistake. Yes, of course, The Woman in Black is a superb ghost story by Susan Hill. This is a review of the almost equally famous stage play, which Stephen Mallatratt has adapted from Susan Hill's novella. It is an adaptation which qualifies as a reworking, with startlingly effective staging. If, for you, a story of terror is not a story of the slasher variety, but one where the fear and suspense is built up in your own mind - your own imagination - you will enjoy this play just as countless others have. Apparently over 7 million theatregoers have seen the play, which has been translated into at least 12 languages and is constantly on tour world-wide.
Stephen Mallatratt's play of The Woman in Black started off modestly, as a low budget production for the new 1987 Christmas play, in Scarborough, the home town of the novel's author, Susan Hill. The production was so successful that it transferred to London's West End two years later in January 1989. This original production has been live on stage in the West End of London for over 25 years, and also on tour in Britain. It is currently the second longest-running play in the history of the West End, after Agatha Christie's "The Mousetrap".
The Woman in Black from 1983, was written by Susan Hill as a straightforward Gothic novel. Susan Hill writes very widely across several genres, but says of her influences that she has always loved,
"everything with atmosphere and a sense of place".
This comes through very strongly in The Woman in Black, and also in her other ghost stories, which have virtually become an annual tradition from this author. The plot of The Woman in Black centres on a mysterious ghostly spectre, dressed in black, who haunts a small English town. Whenever the spectre is seen,
The viewpoint character in the story is Arthur Kipps, a young father who has himself been bereaved. But the play employs a clever twist on the tale. Stephen Mallatratt's version shows Arthur Kipps rehearsing with an actor, in an attempt to perform the story to family and friends. Thus the haunting of Eel Marsh House is presented as a play within a play. There are only two members in the cast. One is Arthur Kipps, but the main protagonist is "The Actor". Masterly use is made of special effects, and also of the audience's own imaginations, which could be said to be the key tool of theatre. In this way, the play could also work surprisingly well on the page. At one point in the play, the actor says,
"Imagine if you would, this stage an island, this aisle a causeway running like a ribbon between the gaunt grey house and the land"
thus cleverly manipulating the audience's imaginations, whilst using every device of stage effects and production available to the modern playwright such as lighting, sound effects, and projected superimposed images, to boost up the power of the dialogue. Stephen Mallatratt worked closely on this play with the director Robin Herford, who had directed all Mallatratt's work at Ayckbourn's theatre in Scarborough. Alan Ayckbourn himself directed Stephen Mallatratt, when he was working as a young actor in Ayckbourn's Scarborough company, before turning to writing. It was a close-knit circle.
Three other adaptations similar in feel to The Woman in Black which Stephen Mallatratt wrote for televison, were "The Turn of the Screw", "Rebecca", and "The Innocents". He left behind a huge body of work when he died at the early age of 57, but The Woman in Black is probably the one which will go down in the history books.
Nigel Kneale also wrote a televison adaptation of The Woman in Black in 1989, and in 2012, a film adaptation starring Daniel Radcliffe was released. I would happily watch all three adaptations again - and of course also reread the novella... But then I'm a sucker for this type of story.
“The most brilliantly effective spine-chiller you will ever encounter.”
– "The Daily Telegraph"
“The gripping production is a brilliantly successful study in atmosphere, illusion and controlled horror. One of British theatre's biggest – and scariest – hits.”
– "The Guardian"
Stephen Mallatratt's play of The Woman in Black started off modestly, as a low budget production for the new 1987 Christmas play, in Scarborough, the home town of the novel's author, Susan Hill. The production was so successful that it transferred to London's West End two years later in January 1989. This original production has been live on stage in the West End of London for over 25 years, and also on tour in Britain. It is currently the second longest-running play in the history of the West End, after Agatha Christie's "The Mousetrap".
The Woman in Black from 1983, was written by Susan Hill as a straightforward Gothic novel. Susan Hill writes very widely across several genres, but says of her influences that she has always loved,
"everything with atmosphere and a sense of place".
This comes through very strongly in The Woman in Black, and also in her other ghost stories, which have virtually become an annual tradition from this author. The plot of The Woman in Black centres on a mysterious ghostly spectre, dressed in black, who haunts a small English town. Whenever the spectre is seen,
The viewpoint character in the story is Arthur Kipps, a young father who has himself been bereaved. But the play employs a clever twist on the tale. Stephen Mallatratt's version shows Arthur Kipps rehearsing with an actor, in an attempt to perform the story to family and friends. Thus the haunting of Eel Marsh House is presented as a play within a play. There are only two members in the cast. One is Arthur Kipps, but the main protagonist is "The Actor". Masterly use is made of special effects, and also of the audience's own imaginations, which could be said to be the key tool of theatre. In this way, the play could also work surprisingly well on the page. At one point in the play, the actor says,
"Imagine if you would, this stage an island, this aisle a causeway running like a ribbon between the gaunt grey house and the land"
thus cleverly manipulating the audience's imaginations, whilst using every device of stage effects and production available to the modern playwright such as lighting, sound effects, and projected superimposed images, to boost up the power of the dialogue. Stephen Mallatratt worked closely on this play with the director Robin Herford, who had directed all Mallatratt's work at Ayckbourn's theatre in Scarborough. Alan Ayckbourn himself directed Stephen Mallatratt, when he was working as a young actor in Ayckbourn's Scarborough company, before turning to writing. It was a close-knit circle.
Three other adaptations similar in feel to The Woman in Black which Stephen Mallatratt wrote for televison, were "The Turn of the Screw", "Rebecca", and "The Innocents". He left behind a huge body of work when he died at the early age of 57, but The Woman in Black is probably the one which will go down in the history books.
Nigel Kneale also wrote a televison adaptation of The Woman in Black in 1989, and in 2012, a film adaptation starring Daniel Radcliffe was released. I would happily watch all three adaptations again - and of course also reread the novella... But then I'm a sucker for this type of story.
“The most brilliantly effective spine-chiller you will ever encounter.”
– "The Daily Telegraph"
“The gripping production is a brilliantly successful study in atmosphere, illusion and controlled horror. One of British theatre's biggest – and scariest – hits.”
– "The Guardian"
December 29, 2021
2.5, rounded up.
While I have been assured this is quite effective when performed, with the appropriate lighting and sound effects, I found it rather inert and tedious upon the page. The initial scenes are also somewhat confusing with the two actors switching roles willy-nilly. It's playing here in SF currently, which is what impelled me to read it - sad to say, this didn't exactly make me even want to venture out to see it! :-(
While I have been assured this is quite effective when performed, with the appropriate lighting and sound effects, I found it rather inert and tedious upon the page. The initial scenes are also somewhat confusing with the two actors switching roles willy-nilly. It's playing here in SF currently, which is what impelled me to read it - sad to say, this didn't exactly make me even want to venture out to see it! :-(
June 6, 2023
that's top five worthy... for the worst books BAHAHA. sucked nards very much don't recommend. wow that was really really bad.
August 21, 2023
an all time fav of mine, first read it when studying drama and decided to re read it in my book club. Makes me want to go and see it once again.
October 31, 2020
I would cut off my right thumb to see this play live on the West End. Or anywhere. This was so spooky.
February 22, 2018
I just love this play, as well as the novel it is based on. So creepy! My husband took me to see the play almost 20 years ago when we were dating, so I was very happy to revisit it by reading the script!
October 18, 2017
I didn't think that the concept of a ghost play would ever really work. Somehow, Mallatrat has managed to pull it off. The success of the play really does buy into the concept of the audience fully investing in the whole 'upon your imaginary forces let us work' thing, but the leeway for effects with lighting and sound is wonderful. Highly recommended.
Read
November 16, 2015This book was terrible! I would never read this book ever again!! Scary story my butt!
January 8, 2019
While visiting London a few years ago, I met a fellow American and ended up spending a Saturday night exploring the city with her. She was eager to see The Woman in Black, so I tagged along to see a play I knew nothing about.
Given my dislike of ghost stories, coupled with my hipster-esque tendency to dislike anything too popular, there’s no way I would have seen The Woman in Black if I had known anything about it.
But I did see it, and other than being totally flipped out once I got back to my lodgings that night (thank goodness for staying in a bland, unexciting midcentury building), I enjoyed the play. No, it wasn’t high art, but it made for an entertaining and memorable night at the theatre.
I say this because, after reading both the novel and theatrical adaptation, I came to the following conclusion: The Woman in Black isn’t scary on the page.
(A quick interjection: The plot involves a ghost, a creepy old English manor house, and a naïve young attorney.)
The novel is bland and derivative and would likely be totally forgotten if not for the play. It isn’t scary (even for a wimp like me), has too much build up, and the pay off is tepid. The most memorable parts are the last few pages.
The play, on the other hand, cuts the extraneous detail and focuses on the fact that people read ghost stories for the spine-chilling moments. And then it ups the best part of the book with an additional twist.
This is a rare time when I say skip reading both the novel and the play. The staging of the play takes full advantage of the senses to delight and terrify in a way that text on a page cannot. And if you do go see the play, go in knowing as little as possible about the plot.
And if you’re a wimp like me, maybe prepare to sleep with your lights on. Quasi-recommended.
The Woman in Black
Given my dislike of ghost stories, coupled with my hipster-esque tendency to dislike anything too popular, there’s no way I would have seen The Woman in Black if I had known anything about it.
But I did see it, and other than being totally flipped out once I got back to my lodgings that night (thank goodness for staying in a bland, unexciting midcentury building), I enjoyed the play. No, it wasn’t high art, but it made for an entertaining and memorable night at the theatre.
I say this because, after reading both the novel and theatrical adaptation, I came to the following conclusion: The Woman in Black isn’t scary on the page.
(A quick interjection: The plot involves a ghost, a creepy old English manor house, and a naïve young attorney.)
The novel is bland and derivative and would likely be totally forgotten if not for the play. It isn’t scary (even for a wimp like me), has too much build up, and the pay off is tepid. The most memorable parts are the last few pages.
The play, on the other hand, cuts the extraneous detail and focuses on the fact that people read ghost stories for the spine-chilling moments. And then it ups the best part of the book with an additional twist.
This is a rare time when I say skip reading both the novel and the play. The staging of the play takes full advantage of the senses to delight and terrify in a way that text on a page cannot. And if you do go see the play, go in knowing as little as possible about the plot.
And if you’re a wimp like me, maybe prepare to sleep with your lights on. Quasi-recommended.
The Woman in Black
September 8, 2023
A deliciously creepy two-person play based on the book. An older man enlists an actor to re-enact an incident from his past, involving a haunted house, to "exorcise" the event from his psyche. Things don't turn out well. I've read this play several times and each time find something new in the writing or staging - it's best done on a small scale with minimal set and props; the sound, lighting and the acting, if done well, will convey the atmosphere of dread. I'd love to be in the show someday! (Have submitted it several times to my local theater thinking I could play the young actor; by this point I'd have to play the old man. Not a problem as both roles are juicy!)
PS AVOID the Daniel Radcliffe movie which is opened up and bleeds out all the creepiness.
PS AVOID the Daniel Radcliffe movie which is opened up and bleeds out all the creepiness.
June 2, 2024
The Woman in Black is a originally a novel by Susan Hill about a man named Mr Kips who recollects a haunting experience he had when he visits a secluded town to settle a dead woman's affairs.
What you see here is the stage play adaptation by Stephen Mallatratt.
What a read!
In this version Mr Kips employs an Actor to help him prepare to tell his story for his family and what follows... Is alot of haunting fun. I know alot of people who see this on stage absolutely loved it and I can totally see why.
Just thinking about all the staging options! Both that are written down and that are left to your own creativity!
Have you encountered The Woman in Black before? Read the novel? Seen the movie? Watched/read the play? If you've seen more than one which did you prefer?
What you see here is the stage play adaptation by Stephen Mallatratt.
What a read!
In this version Mr Kips employs an Actor to help him prepare to tell his story for his family and what follows... Is alot of haunting fun. I know alot of people who see this on stage absolutely loved it and I can totally see why.
Just thinking about all the staging options! Both that are written down and that are left to your own creativity!
Have you encountered The Woman in Black before? Read the novel? Seen the movie? Watched/read the play? If you've seen more than one which did you prefer?
August 4, 2020
5* if you are seeing the play performed
4* for reading it
A far superior version of the novel, which I found to be tedious and verbose. This play retains all of the tension and gothic elements in a far more refined format.
Arthur Kipps attempts to cure his trauma by reenacting his experiences with the woman in black with a professional actor. The play-within-a-play storytelling works quite effectively.
4* for reading it
A far superior version of the novel, which I found to be tedious and verbose. This play retains all of the tension and gothic elements in a far more refined format.
Arthur Kipps attempts to cure his trauma by reenacting his experiences with the woman in black with a professional actor. The play-within-a-play storytelling works quite effectively.
July 22, 2023
rounded up from 3.5. it probably helps that i’ve seen it live but i really enjoyed this. all the scenes with the woman had me looking over my shoulder. pacing was slower than i expected but it’s mainly descriptive dialogue, which isn’t fast paced but paints the picture perfectly without shoving it down your throat
September 7, 2024
This is an appropriately scary ghost story when seen on the stage. Not only is the audience kept in suspense as the plot unfolds, but the two speaking actors continually switch which characters they are playing. This adds to the tense atmosphere of the action as the sound effects build to a frightening conclusion and a disquieting aftermath.
October 25, 2024
I really liked this play. The Actor plays many parts but changes are made on stage and he is addressed by name so it is not confusing. There is a ton of work in a two person play but there are many actors here who would be up to it. It is a challenge to do a scary play but I think this one is possible.
July 26, 2020
This is one of the scariest plays I've ever seen! I saw this play in London and it was amazing. The two actors that are in the play must be very talented to portray all the roles in the play, but it is the scariest when you let the audience's minds run wild which this play does!
January 9, 2022
When he says he doesn't believe that ghosts exist, I think he's telling the truth. Imagine someone who doesn't believe in ghost writes about ghost. But I'm convinced that he sees a ghost at some point.
August 2, 2017
Loved the book so much and saw it on stage in London and now I am directing it. Such fun!
June 21, 2019
A good classic horro story.It was a quick and easy read great for short trips away or an afternoon read.
May 22, 2020
could not finish
August 6, 2022
A genre defining play.
May 16, 2023
Esperaba que diera miedo, para eso mejor la peli, pero es entretenido
June 5, 2023
The play version was interesting. Not as much suspense as the actual book and takes a bit to understand how the "acting" works. Ending was a bit goofy.
June 6, 2023
Read this play for Literature.
It was alright I guess, the ending didn't disappoint too drastically.
Probs wouldn't read it again and probs won't read the actual book.
It was alright I guess, the ending didn't disappoint too drastically.
Probs wouldn't read it again and probs won't read the actual book.
August 28, 2023
This was one of the most confusing plays I’ve ever read. The production expectations are impossible and the story is mostly told through words rather than acting and action on stage.
September 28, 2023
really good play! wasn’t scared but really enjoyed the story
January 20, 2024
Effective adaptation of the book , enjoyed tonight at the theatre .
March 19, 2024
Pese a empezar lento, me ha dejado muy bien sabor de boca
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews