Booking to 4 March 2023
London’s longest-running ghost story – must end March 2023
The Woman in Black tells the spine-tingling tale of a keen young solicitor who is sent to wind up the affairs of a recently deceased woman.
Over 7 million people worldwide have lived to tell the tale of one of the most exciting and gripping theatre events ever staged. This universally acclaimed drama is a terrifying night in the theatre, as audiences are transported into a dark, ghostly world.
Adapted by Stephen Mallatratt from the best-selling novel by Susan Hill, The Woman In Black at the Fortune Theatre is directed by Robin Herford.
“The most brilliantly effective spine-chiller you will ever encounter…if you haven’t seen this show yet you are missing a treat” – Daily Telegraph
The Woman in Black must close 4 March 2023 – hurry to book tickets before this iconic show finally leaves London.
What's the story of The Woman in Black?
Eel Marsh House stands alone on the windswept salt marshes by the Nine Lives Causeway.
When Arthur Kipps, a junior solicitor, is summoned to attend the funeral of Mrs Alice Drablow, the house’s sole inhabitant, he is unaware of the tragic secrets which lie hidden behind the shuttered windows of the house.
That is until he sees a wasted young woman dressed all in black at the funeral, and a creeping sense of unease begins to take hold of him… an unease that deepens by the reluctance of the locals to talk of the woman in black.
Years later, as an old man, he recounts his experiences to an actor in a desperate attempt to exorcise the ghosts of the past.
The play unfolds around the conversations of these two characters as they act out the solicitor’s experiences on Eel Marsh all those years ago.
Who is in the cast of The Woman in Black?
Julian Forsyth stars as Arthur Kipps alongside Matthew Spencer as The Actor
Who are the creative team of The Woman in Black?
Stephen Mallatratt’s adaptation of The Woman in Black has been running for 33 years in London, and is the fourth longest running show in West End Theatre history. The Woman in Black first came to London following a Christmas production in 1987 at a pub in Scarborough. After a run at the Lyric Hammersmith in London in January 1989, the show started its West End run at the Strand – now the Novello Theatre, in March 1989, before a move to the Playhouse in April 1989, and then its opening at the Fortune on 7 June 1989.
Reviews of The Woman in Black
"The most brilliantly effective spine chiller you will ever encounter" - The Telegraph"A marvellous exercise in spine tingling tension.....it's a cracker" - The Independent
"A truly nerve-shredding experience" - Daily Mail
"Don't go unless you like being scared out of your wits" - Sunday Mirror
"Ingenious - a journey into fear" - Ben Brantley, New York Times
"This pitch black staging of Susan Hill's thriller is irresistibly eerie" - Time Out
"The Woman in Black remains one of British theatre's biggest – and scariest – hits" - The Guardian
Show Information
Matinees: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Performance information is for guidance only. Check booking calendar for details.
Show Photos
Show Videos
Important Notes
The Woman in Black is on the National Curriculum for English and Drama, so some performances (especially matinees and on weekdays) are likely to have school groups in attendance.
Important Information: This play is not suitable for those with a nervous disposition or who cannot handle sudden shocks!
Venue Information
Fortune Theatre, Russell Street, London, WC2B 5HHNearest Tube or Train: Covent Garden (Piccadilly line)
Nearest Buses: 1, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 15, 23, 59, 68, 76, 77A, 91, 139, 168, 171, 172, 188, 243, 341, 521, RV1
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seeing woman in black in theater when I do my GCSEs for drama 🙂
I’m Seeing this on Tuesday,
I am actually terrified OMG.
amazing-so good 🙂
Going to see this next week… I’m so scared D’:
I love the Woman in Black, directed a production of it a little while ago
and for an English Literature project a group of us had to film an extract
from TWiB check it out on my channel. Lovers of the play I call you!
saw this in London fortune theater on Tuesday, truly terrifying but so well
acted
Going to see this on Thursday !
Check out my friends and my reaction! /watch?v=oMO1cRZ0mag
Hello youtube, could anyone tell me when the woman comes into the audience?
Hi there, it’s taken from chapter 4 Mrs drablows funeral. The Woman comes as the recorded sound is playing it’s digologe. Gemma Smith
I saw this last night in Glasgow as part of the tour – by far, the best
play I have seen; probably my favourite theatre production too.
Going to see it tonight, needless to say but I’m shitting myself 🙂
Absolutely awesome xD
Yeah she does.
does the woman in black come out in the audience some people said she does?
Going to c it thursday for my gcse then I have to wright 2000 word essay…..:( owell looking forward to it please be good so I can pass 🙂
overacting
for this i’d say stalls 🙂
Im seeing this for my birthday in spetember..!! wheres the best place to sit..?? dress circl or stalls.. ?? <3<3 xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
The Fortune Theatre, you?
D:! Gutted! 🙁 Which theatre did you see it at? 😀
I didnt have anyone walking next to me D: I do wish they would of let me known beforehand about the fog machines though since I have bad asthma.
I have to disagree with you there, in my opinion it is much better on stage. The way they build up the suspense throughout the play is so different to on screen. Especially in the theatres in London where she can walk right next to you, and the sound effects mixed in with the silence of the theatre are incredible. It’s amazing what two actors can do.
Found this performace uninteresting and hard to grasp with 2 actors playing all the parts when I went in a small theatre with a tiny stage. You just can’t compare this to the film.
I saw this last year. Nothing will ever be as scary.. it’s terrifying…
I need to see this again. I saw it a few years ago and I’ve never been so scared in my life. Amazing. And I saw these two when I saw and they were amazing too.
I had to sleep with the lights on for two weeks after I saw this.
I saw this on tour, and I was TERRIFIED. Like, actually scared for weeks. I couldn’t sleep and I was shaking and actually crying. If your mind is susceptible to this kind of things, if you run with the power of suggestion, then you will be screaming.
It’s very dark and very frightening. If you like to be scared you won’t be disappointed. Or watch the TV version on you tube. Make sure you have a light in your bedroom.
It is a very creepy show. I hope the film doesn’t over do it.
i played the woman in black my freshmen year of high school. honestly i scared myself.
Thumbs up if your gonna see the movie
An elderly man goes to an actor to help him tell the story of an experience he had many years earlier with a haunting in England. The actor and the older man recreate the story as it happened on the stage of the theater. Although there’s very little in the way of props, costumes or sets, the show draws you in by working with your imagination. It’s very effective and creepy.
Please cud someone tell me wat happens in this play
I saw this!…I’m not sure with this man.
I remember seeing this in London. creepiest show I’ve ever seen.