I was extremely excited to have the opportunity to review The Woman in Black at the Connaught Theatre. I had read write-ups and researched the story line on the internet before I went but I was anything but frightened. Even though the play is meant to be one of the scariest ever to be performed on stage, I thought that because there were tickets available for schools, that the horror really couldn’t be that bad. How wrong I was…
Mum and I walked into a packed theatre to find our seats. I noticed how the stage was very slanted and so dusty it seemed as if the volcanic ash cloud had swept across it! There were a few fairly simple props and nothing too interesting going on as far as I could see. As I flicked through the programme, I saw that only two performers were included in the cast. This puzzled me, because I wondered how only two people could carry out a whole performance just relying on each other. As the lights went down a man walked onto the stage with what looked like a script and started to read, very slowly and very quietly. For a moment I thought his microphone was broken, until I realised he didn’t have one. How can this be scary? I thought, and slumped back into my seat. I only really concentrated when the audience gave a little murmur and a small laugh, but even then I didn’t really understand as the dialogue was quite complicated. I had a quick look round and I was by far the youngest person in the audience. Something was telling me that this might not have been the best of ideas. However, it wasn’t long before the story progressed and I slowly became engrossed. The atmosphere began to pick up and the hairs on the back of my neck started to tingle. I later understood why the opening was presented as it was, and I regretted not really concentrating at the beginning.
The two actors tackled their roles really well. Robert Demeger, who played Mr Kipps was truly fantastic, as he played different roles, his body language and change of voice pitch were all completely convincing. Peter Bramhill, was also entirely believable; his words and reactions to events going on around the stage sent chills down my spine. Even now I am amazed how these two men could have the audience on the edge of their seats for a whole performance. I am amazed also how they didn’t gasp and scream when the Lady in Black hovered in the wings of the stage in the darkness or glided across a sheer curtain accompanied by sudden loud noises and eerie effects!
The lighting and sound effects of the show were really spectacular. I loved how the whole ‘scary’ part of the play was created through light and dark and change in volume of sound. The way the actors used simple props to create a picture in our imagination of busy London streets, the movement of travelling on a train or horse carriage were magnificent. I loved how there were no ‘backstage people’ either, the setting of the scenes were completely set by the actors themselves. The surround sound was so realistic, There were many moments when I cried out in shock and fear! I still have the bruises on the palms of my hand where I was digging my nails into my palm to try and take my mind off the pale, white and wasted face of The Woman in Black.
