Dragon Review: The Woman in Black – Yvonne Arnaud Theatre

Published on: 15 Apr, 2026
Updated on: 16 Apr, 2026

The search for the mysterious Woman in Black with Daniel Burke as The Actor. Mark Douet

By Ferenc Hepp

The Woman In Black, an all-time classic drawing audiences of all ages, is running at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre this week at the tail end of its national tour. It is well-worth watching.

I was reminded that this play used to be part of the GCSE syllabus, and judging by the age profile of the audience, it looks like it still forms part of these studies.

This is the stage adaptation of Susan Hill’s novel, with the original production opening in London in 1989, and the story follows Arthur Kipps, who hires a young actor to help him re-enact some terrifying events from his youth in the hope of exorcising the ghosts of his past.

The arrival at Eel Marsh House of Arthur, The Actor (Daniel Burke) Mark Douet

In this production by PW Productions Ltd, directed by Robin Herford, the part of Arthur Kipps is played by John Mackay and The Actor is played by Daniel Burke.

The stage design by Michael Holt is simple but effective. The colours are neutral, the action is framed by an empty stage where most of the props are covered in dust sheets, and we only see a couple of chairs, a hamper and, initially, some buckets. However, all these are put to good use and have purpose.

highly skilled, energetic and suitably character rich performances throughout”

When the action moves onto Eel Marsh House in the remote village of Crythin Gifford, where the younger Kipps is sent to settle the affairs of the recently deceased Mrs Drablow, nothing much changes, but more of the set is revealed, and it is at the funeral when the mysterious figure makes her first appearance.

According to local legend, every sighting of the Woman in Black foreshadows the death of a child in the village, and as the play progresses, each of these sightings become more dramatic, with audible gasps from the audience as the on-stage screams and appearances occur in an ever more chilling fashion.

Acting tuition from The Actor (Daniel Burke) for John MacKay (Arthur Kipps). Mark Douet

The Actor and Kipps return to the stage of the empty theatre at the conclusion of the re-enactment, when the inevitable twist brings the action to an end.

Both Mackay and Burke give highly skilled, energetic and suitably character rich performances throughout, which complement the style of the piece perfectly. From a deliberately dull script reading by Mackay turning into a number of fascinating characters and narration, to the journey by Burke which keeps us engaged and waiting in anticipation for what’s about to happen in true thriller fashion.

One of Arthur’s (Daniel Burke) many characters in the re-enactment. Mark Douet

The lighting design by Kevin Sleep also aids our experience perfectly and makes it clear when something unexpected and scary is about to happen, as opposed to when the characters return to their own selves, as at the commencement of the play.

The pace is ideal for the style of the show but not overly rushed at the same time. The direction by Herford uses the stage in a very clever way, so that we experience what we need to see, but some of what happens remains mysterious.

According to the director’s notes, “the play celebrates the art of the actor, of live performance, but it also celebrates several forms of theatrical magic – some simple, some much more complex.”

I would urge you to experience this magic for yourself while you can.

The Woman In Black runs until Saturday, April 18, and tickets are available via www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk or call 01483 440000.