Review: Stephen Mallatratt's 'The Woman in Black'

Everybody knows a ghost story. Those that claim they don’t is just because they don’t want to remember.

That Theatre’s rendering of The Woman in Black, written by Stephen Mallatratt and based on the book by Susan Hill, will not let you forget so easily.

Arthur Kipps, a young lawyer, travels to the remote village of Cryphin Gifford, to examine the documentation of a house. Mystery ensues, with inexplicable events such as sudden infant deaths, and the whole village covered in a gloomy feeling resembling the heavy mist covering it from time to time.

Transported into another era

That Theatre’s cast is small but remarkably inventive. Their magic inventory contains a number of coats, and a few interesting tools. The set is simple but the story telling is great.

And then there is the miracle of the recorded sound! The ambience is built up gradually and each and every detail is interwoven into a unique experience. The performers exchange dialogues and dialects, costumes and scenery with as much ease as the story keeps evolving and revealing.

Compelling music, pale light, you are transported into another era. And the slow, burning tension in this play will linger long enough to have you reaching for the light switch whenever sleep evades you.

Do you dare?

That Theatre Company has been treating Denmark’s audiences with English-language theatrical performances for the last couple of decades, and has become well known for its quality and student-affordable performances. Check out the details in the fact box upper right.

If you are daring enough to feel under your skin what critics have called the most terrifying ghost story that ‘ever took place on a theater stage’ is about, then go and see That Theatre’s performance of it.

Before you do that, you can check out this video teaser:
[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beKcRfwmtLw&noredirect=1 width:525 height:380 align:center]

universitypost@adm.ku.dk

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