Behind the scenes at The Woman In Black | Dressing Room Confessions

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We've all been scared silly by the horror classics of the silver screen, but it's fair to say that stage productions rarely have a reputation for striking fear into the hearts of audiences. This all changed when Stephen Mallatratt's 'The Woman in Black' ghosted on to to the scene in 1987: it has terrifying those brave enough to buy tickets ever since. The two current leads, Adam Best and Ken Drury take Time Out on a spooky tour behind the scenes of the world-renowned production and explain how -- with just two cast members, a bare-bones set and no special effects -- they conjure up a truly terrifying theatre experience.
Camerawork and editing by Vin Shahrestani
Planning and direction by Oliver Robinson

[@sapphael.]

I recently saw this in the Fortune Theatre and I have to say that that bloody door is the face of all my nightmares. Fantastic job at scaring us, after every scare you heard a scream and then the audience laughed at their screams it was truly an experience!

[@PeterParker-cz8mq]

I was at the fortune theatre too aha. Do you mean when the door swung open suddenly?

[@tomsmith4930]

I was recently scheduled to go with my school, but due to the corona virus we can’t :( Nice to hear what you thought about it so I know what to expect!

[@terencehunt7799]

We went to see Woman in Black probably 20 years ago _ my wife, young daughter and myself. Going in, our mood was dark because we hadn't been able to get tickets to the big plays in London and we had meager expectations for this play. We were so wrong. It was terrific. It was a highlight of our trip.

[@emmakirkup2915]

I saw this on Tuesday (25th of June), the evening performance, it was absolutely amazing, and walking back to the hotel the actress who played the Woman in Black cycled past us and scared the living daylights out of all of us!

[@Olivia-kd5zt]

Watched this last night and may I say absolutely terrifying! I screamed a couple of times and I wasn't alone! But may i say the whole production was incredible and amazing and completely exceeding my expectations! The sound effects were so real and left the audience on edge Me and my friends were paranoid throughout we sat at the back of the theatre right in front of the sort and we were petrified someone would creep behind us😂 best play I have ever seen though the actors did an incredible job and brought the story to life! UPDATE: After months I am STILL having nightmares!😵😩

[@veranakhim]

No horror film can ever compare to this play! Absolutely amazing and very terrifying!

[@multitudeofdrops738]

I've seen the play twice, and it's one of my favourite plays in the West End! It's amazing how something so simple can be so terrifying!

[@artyzara1799]

I am so glad that I watched a matinee performance of this play. Cannot even imagine how scared I'd be if I watched the evening performance.

[@ellamcqueen5653]

did you guys see the actress of the woman walk across the stage at 1:19

[@Hexcade]

I didn't see a woman... XD yeah I did

[@xxfayerocksxx]

Yeah I did too ☺️❤️

[@nickmz1258]

yeh i thought you meant like a ghost or something

[@katebaxenden2927]

We had a rooking chair in our guest bedroom. I couldn't walk past that bedroom fore munths haha😅

[@UKRedSnow]

Still not watched the film (will do very soon), but watched the production at the Wycombe Swan tonight. Absolutely loved it, very simplistic stage/props, but wow, does it work ..... and there were several screams in the audience, which to me, shows the power and psychological impact of the production, brilliant 👏🏻👏🏻

[@TheRandomPhangirl]

This show was phenomenal. Definitely my favourite play.

[@martinevans8437]

I love this play,Seen it three times,And it is still fresh and exciting.Never fails in the shock moments,And atmospheric throughout.Fantasic!

[@katebaxenden2927]

i went to see this with my mom and my brother rooking chair scene scared me the most

[@littlemisslucyhope]

I was scared for about 2 months after seeing this and this brought back all the memories

[@swf4841]

When I was a student in London I used to go and see this play frequently. It was a real safe place for me.

[@ethan-jaygladwell7200]

i went there with my school and it was brilliant but horrible! The screams... I STILL HERE THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@teddyfield2164]

Same

[@Olivia-kd5zt]

Honestly I went 10 months ago and it still gives me shivers when I imagine it and I'm still picturing her face!!

[@katebaxenden2927]

They should make the play in to a dvd

[@nzlemming]

I directed this play in New Zealand without a gauze - even smaller theatre - and we did it in traverse so there was nowhere to hide for the actors. I used a projector and a hidden screen to do the "behind the gauze" moments. Was one of the best productions I've been associated with.

[@oliverdavis2422]

I really wanted to know how the rocking chair moves by it self

[@NigelFortune]

The best ghost story ever interpreted at a theatre imo.

[@cheeseballs360]

these 2 are the best actors in the world XD ! i saw this the other day ( tuesday the 2nd) soooo good xxx

[@purpleperegrine]

It was the most terrifying thing I’ve ever seen

[@grizzlybear5665]

The best play ever

[@Wandering_Nowhere]

Saw it there in 2004 and it still sends shivers just thinking about.

[@mikekaraoke]

I remember seeing this in the 80's with my Primary school, Loved and seen it a few times since :-]

[@tremorsfan]

My local community theatre did a production of this play back around Halloween. At some point the effects person must have pulled the rocking chair too hard because it tipped over. So when Arthur goes into the room to investigate it's almost as if it had been nocked over by an angry spirit. I'm friends with the lighting tech and she confirmed that this was an accident.

[@Watrudoinsthap]

Simply amazing!

[@LoneWoIfPack19]

Can't wait to see it in Chicago

[@Silver_Cherry1]

I’m going with my school and I am NOT good with horrors 😭 looking forward to it! 😂 (Like genuinely)

[@TwilightGossip100]

I was shit scared for like two days after see this! It was amazing!

[@jimburke3801]

Brillant, keep up the good work. I'd love a part in the woman in black.

[@jimburke3801]

Was that the woman in black walking at the back of the stage. A nice touch but I think she's wearing trousers which takes away some of her mystery.

[@deborahjones5092]

It is amazing

[@flonomafo1058]

Seeing it next week ahhhhhh

[@angieclark8736]

went to see this two days ago....two of my friends had panic attacks and I had hold of four hands at once haha, it was really good

[@wonder_9315]

I watched a video in my English class where these two guys were taking about hamlet... Now I’m watching this video that’s unknowingly related, 5 hours before school in the morning

[@col5556]

Hello

[@asswhole239]

1:19 it's her, the woman in black! Aha

[@horsecock175]

I’m doing this as a gcse and I have to come watch this

[@zoeee4939]

I went to see it in that very theatre!

[@PSGxFAN]

Is it a play? Or a musical?

[@abbyrosehammond]

I am terrified

[@erinhagon3142]

Do they share the theatre with 39 steps because they look quite similar

[@mikekaraoke]

No it is not the same theatre, They wouldn't have time with the afternoon and evening performances- I have really liked this play since the 80's

[@phoebedenham9489]

I'm doing play as a GCSE play can't wait

[@GRIMLYKENMOTH]

I saw this play not long after last Christmas with my sister. I loved it BUT the all boys school group would not shut-up after each scare

[@SeriouslyLucyy]

Shes not even in costume but it still scares the crap outta me. :(

[@veranakhim]

It's a play

[@finntickel994]

Im not massive on this play, maybe its the fact that half the audience were 15 year olds talking over every tense scene. Might give it a second try.

[@aaliyahmccullum5126]

This is mother freakin scary

[@vaslav030547]

Not making me want to rush out and buy tickets, Looks pretty boring and the guy is a bit old to play Kipps, Sorry .:(

[@msmilano7091]

Harvey Levene I've been to this this three times. It's so good. Initially, even I thought "How scary can a stage play be?!" ....but it's so clever. It has very few props so it calls on your imagination, which is the scariest thing off all. I found myself, yet again, afraid to go to the bathroom alone in the middle of the night. The fact is, "The Woman in Black" is an incredibly creepy story , so no matter what format it's in, it scares you. If you like big props, expensive sets, special effects & everything laid out for you, you probably won't enjoy it . If you like to actually get involved in a story, follow it, and let yourself believe it, it will haunt you. I hated the Hollywood version of the film. There were too many jump scares, & they really did lay it all out. It made it boring and silly, in a way. There was too much fantasy The book, the original BBC film, and Theatre creep you out in the "best" way, in that that they scare your mind. They don't tell you when to be scared, you just are. The play is actually Mr Kipps telling the story of what happened to him. That's why he's older.

[@sherlockfan2000]

MsMilano-Have to agree with you on the movie with Daniel Radcliffe, he was well cast but the film itself did not feel at all like Susan Hills original story, on the other hand I really love the original book as well as the play, & the BBC made for TV adaptation you mentioned was the stuff of my nightmares as a kid back in the late 90s.