Scoop Review: The Woman in Black

The Woman in Black
St James Theatre, Wellington
4 - 8 July

As anyone can imagine, it is a challenge to pull off a play within a play. It’s even harder to pull off rehearsals of a play within a play. Impressively, the international production of West End’s The Woman in Black currently showing at Westpac St. James Theatre pulls it off without a hitch.

Although not frightening by modern standards, the production is a fine display of the power of acting and good writing which kept it running for 19-plus years on West End. This production features actor/director Robin Herford as Arthur Kipps and Mark Healy as The Actor.

The show is largely based on Kipps needing an actor to tell the story of “The Woman in Black”. Healy as The Actor convinces Kipps to act along with him in telling the story. Through The Actor’s instruction, Kipps evolves into a convincing actor and narrator in his play.

One of the first things I noticed was the absence of elaborate backdrops and props. The stage was simply set with a few chairs and a lidded wicker basket. The gothic mood was clear from the monochromatic palette of the set and wardrobe choices. I found myself at times in awe of how so much of what a powerful tool imagination can be as the actors used the wicker basket to serve a variety of purposes.

The other star of the show is its technical effects. Even with the fine acting the show would have fallen flat if not for the sound effects and lighting. Ambient sounds of nature, trains, and others establish the settings along with deft use of lighting representing everything from the green of the forest to the light passing through trees during a train ride.

The play starts off slowly and can leave those used to faster-paced dramas squirming in their seats. However, this is to be expected in the classic style of gothic theatre. Furthermore the structure of the “play within a play” can leave viewers feeling disconnected from the show.

The absence of lighting is also used to great effect and demonstrates Kipps’ fear of the supernatural as wanders through the darkness, torch in hand, and hears the rising sound of a heart-beat and a piercing scream.

Those looking for real thrills should look elsewhere as the scares are modest at best. But for true theatre lovers, The Woman in Black delivers a powerful performance which proves that with a little imagination, an actor can take us anywhere.

Production website - www.womaninblack.co.nz

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