The Woman in Black
The 1983 Susan Hill novel The Woman in Black was adapted by Stephen Mallatratt into a play. The novel and the play follow the same plot and only a few details were changed in the play for dramatic effect on the stage.
The play tells of an elderly man, Arthur, and his memory on a mysterious woman in black. He is haunted by the memory of this spooky figure and he is determined to solve his life long mystery. To this end, he employs a young male actor to re-enact his memories in the hope of discovering some answers. By reliving the past Arthur ends up bring the past back to his present as he once again meets the woman in black.
The woman in black brings the play to life by appearing in the aisle and in empty seats in the theatre. The play was first performed at the Theatre by the Sea in Scarborough in 1987 and the horror was an instant hit and quickly moved to the West End in 1989. It then took to the stage of the Fortune Theatre where it has been running ever since. Bookings are currently being taken until January 2010 with a UK tour expected after.