By turns funny and fearsome, theatrical thriller The Woman in Black returns in a sharply directed, expertly performed revival. 

Halfway through a nine-city Australian Tour, the Melbourne season is fittingly housed in an actual Victorian theatre, the highly atmospheric Athenaeum Theatre. 

A spine-tingling ghost story, The Woman in Black wins the audience over with early comedy. Straight-laced Arthur Kipps manages little more than a dry dreary deadpan as he begins to recount his mysterious tale. Enthusiastically and knowledgeably supported by The Actor, Kipps willingly hands over the main role and goes on to play a host of characterful supporting roles. 

Adapting Susan HIll’s novel, playwright Stephen Mallatratt delivers an irresistible blend of backstage dramatics and good old fashioned ghost story. The hit play scared audiences in London’s West End for over thirty years, concluding only recently in early 2023. 

Caretaking and fine tuning the original direction of Robin Herford, Associate Director Antony Eden continues the strong sense of creative theatricality. The play-within-a-play comes to life before our eyes, with The Actor inventively conjuring scenes with precious little available props, furniture, and sound effects. 

Michael Holt’s original design suits the space perfectly, with the highly raked stage looking as if it has always been there. Production elements are metered out gradually, adding to audience interest as the story unfolds. 

Featuring eerie shadows and pitch black corners, the original lighting design of Kevin Sleep adds significantly to the sense of unease and growing dread. Combined with the original sound design of Rod Mead, these technical elements are responsible for many a jump scare. 

The heart of the success of this production lies in the quality of the two lead actors.

Returning to the role of Arthur Kipps after 17 years, celebrated veteran John Waters is devilishly good in the myriad roles portrayed by Arthur Kipps. Waters completely convinces with Kipps’ early ineptitude, having the audience competely on his side as Kipps is gradually coached to take on various character ticks and traits. Waters’ accents bring to life a world of English classes and regions. 

A terrific partner for Waters, Daniel MacPherson brings a plummy persona for The Actor, giving the young man a clear sense of theatricality whilst completely avoiding any trace of stereotype or camp. The vulnerability that MacPherson successfully cultivates whilst playing young Kipps is crucial to the effectiveness of the moments of terror and suspense. 

As the play segues from genial good will to fear and foreboding, the audience is happily carried along with the change of tone due to the earnest focus of Waters and MacPherson; these warmly likeable actors convey that they fully believe the story they are telling and subsequently so do we. 

Perhaps not a play to see alone, The Woman in Black at least requires a friendly arm to clutch onto in fright. The play has been a success for decades for good reason, and this revival heartily continues the ghostly enjoyment. 

The Woman in Black plays at Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne until 6 July 2024. For tickets, click here.

The Woman in Black plays at Canberra Theatre Centre 9-14 July 2024. For tickets, click here.

The Woman in Black plays at Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, Wollongong 17-21 July 2024. For tickets, click here.

The Woman in Black plays at Civic Theatre, Newcastle 23-27 July 2024. For tickets, click here.

The Woman in Black plays at Theatre Royal, Sydney 30 July – 17 August 2024. For tickets, click here.

Photos: Justin Nicholas