Lynn Carroll Reviews The Woman In Black

October 19, 2023

Right off the bat I have to say, this is the best production I have seen at the Palace Theatre. I would go further, for in truth I was mesmerised by Mark Hawkins and Malcolm James who acted their socks off to bring this play to life on the stage.

I will confess to feeling a little downcast when I realised that they would be the only two actors bringing this ghostly tale to us, I discount the Woman in Black as she had no speaking part, but as the story progressed I quickly began to enjoy (if that’s the correct word for a ghost story), the double hander these two projected so well.

I am certainly beginning to find that place in my brain where imagination dwells and, to be honest you do need that part to be in good working order when watching plays/shows of this kind. I did not seem to mind that they moved their own props around, nor that they changed costume whilst still reciting their lines, it was after all portrayed as a rehearsal for the ‘real’ play they intended to eventually produce.

Mr. James initially appeared as himself and by that I mean he was Mr. Kipps whose story was being told. But as rehearsals went on he became a hotel owner, pony and trap driver, solicitor and narrator whilst Mr. Hawkins took over the role of Mr. Kipps as a younger man having that story told.

I have just realised that there was indeed another cast member for which your imagination truly needed to be well honed; an imaginary dog! In an otherwise serious play this did offer a few comedic moments as the actors pretended to speak to and pet this imaginary canine. I wonder how many audience members imagined it to be their own dog in the role. At one stage the animal was feared lost to the cloying weather elements along the causeway which led to the isolated and haunted house. Mr. Kipps joy at their reunion caused him to drop to his knees and hug Spider (the dog’s name) whilst bending backwards as the dog enthusiastically jumped up at him and licked his face, yes, you really could see what was supposedly happening.

I don’t believe the word ‘mesmerised’ (I refer you to my opening paragraph) is too bold a description of my involvement in this play. I found myself staring unblinking, hanging on every word as I keenly listened to the dialogue and watched the facial expressions, more of which were required from Mr. Hawkins who was experiencing the ghostly goings on for the first time.

There are a couple of surprises for the audience which I will not divulge and several heart stopping moments which, afterwards, caused laughter among the audience. A very human reaction to being frightened I would say.

All in all I would recommend you see The Woman in Black if you can. However, I must warn you, I did feel the need to read my current non-scary book until my eyes drooped before turning the light out at bedtime.