• Review For Us
  • List Your Show
  • Advertising
  • Musicals
  • Plays
  • Ballet & Dance
  • Previews
  • First Look
Theatre Weekly
  • Home
  • News
    • West End
    • Off-West End
    • Regional & Tours
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Digital Theatre
  • Tickets
    • Discounts
    • Musicals
    • Plays
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Concerts
  • VAULT Festival 2023
    • VAULT Previews
    • VAULT Reviews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer
No Result
View All Result
Theatre Weekly
  • Home
  • News
    • West End
    • Off-West End
    • Regional & Tours
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Digital Theatre
  • Tickets
    • Discounts
    • Musicals
    • Plays
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Concerts
  • VAULT Festival 2023
    • VAULT Previews
    • VAULT Reviews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer
No Result
View All Result
Theatre Weekly
No Result
View All Result
Home News
THE WOMAN IN BLACK. Julian Forsyth Arthur Kipps and Matthew Spencer The Actor. Photo Tristram Kenton

THE WOMAN IN BLACK. Julian Forsyth Arthur Kipps and Matthew Spencer The Actor. Photo Tristram Kenton

The Woman In Black to Close After 33 Years in The West End

by Staff Writer
November 9, 2022
Reading Time: 3 mins read

After 33 extraordinary years in London’s West End, the theatrical sensation that is Susan Hill’s The Woman In Black, will play its final performance at The Fortune Theatre, London on Saturday 4 March 2023.

Producer Peter Wilson said today, “The Woman in Black’s miraculous theatricality has never faltered. Out of a gauze, a wicker skip and a door Stephen Mallatratt and Robin Herford conjured a complete world into which generations of young people have entered, surrendering to the ultimate magic of theatre: their own imaginations. However, the economic reality of attracting so many young people has caught up with us in a world of rising prices.

My thanks to Charles Kay and John Duttine, the first cast in 1989, to the generations of actors who have maintained the tradition of excellence while inhabiting Susan’s marvellous novella and Stephen’s extraordinary adaptation, to Robin Herford – who has directed every cast over the 33 years – to all the staff at the Fortune and of course the team at PW Productions.”

       

Susan Hill, writer of the novel said, “I am extremely sad that The Woman in Black is closing at The Fortune Theatre in March next year. It has been the perfect home for us for over 33 years. I am especially proud that Stephen Mallatratt’s wonderful stage adaptation of my ghost story has given generations of young people the opportunity to experience the enjoyment and the life-changing impact of theatre.”

Director Robin Herford said, “Since commissioning Stephen Mallatratt to write me a ghost story for Christmas to present for three and a half weeks at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in the Autumn of 1987, The Woman in Black has been a significant part of my life for a third of a century – and counting!

You mightalso like

Matthew Spencer

Interview: Matthew Spencer on The Woman in Black at The Fortune Theatre

London Theatre Week

London Theatre Week Returns With Almost 60 Shows Offering Tickets With Prices as Low as £15

The Fortune has been a very happy London home for this play, its intimacy providing not only the right scale and atmosphere for the action, but also a treat for the audience in appreciating this West End jewel with its classic Art Deco architecture. A perfect fit. Leaving The Fortune is the end of a significant chapter in the story of The Woman in Black. It has been a privilege to have stewardship of this theatre with its wonderful staff in which to tell Susan’s devastating story in the highly original and imaginative manner in which Stephen conceived it for the stage.

I am proudest of the number of schoolchildren for whom this production has constituted one of their first experiences of theatre. Young people really respond to this play, and it gladdens my heart when I hear large numbers of schoolchildren queueing up outside before a performance. Earlier this Autumn, I got chatting to a teacher who had brought no fewer than 17 different parties of students to this show over the years! It’s how we grow our next generation of audiences.”

The Woman In Black has played over 13,000 performances in the West End and been seen by over 7-million people in the UK. In June 2019 the production celebrated its 30th Anniversary in London’s West End with a special gala performance.

The Woman In Black currently stars Julian Forsyth as Arthur Kipps and Matthew Spencer as The Actor.

       
Staff Writer

Staff Writer

At Theatre Weekly we are dedicated to giving theatre a new audience. Our News, Reviews and Interviews are all written with the audience in mind, helping you decide what to see next. And when you have decided, our great ticket deals will help save you money too.

Related Articles

Matthew Spencer
Interviews

Interview: Matthew Spencer on The Woman in Black at The Fortune Theatre

London Theatre Week
News

London Theatre Week Returns With Almost 60 Shows Offering Tickets With Prices as Low as £15

Performances of The Woman in Black
News

The Woman in Black Celebrates 13,000 Performances at Fortune Theatre

Julian Forsyth and Matthew Spencer To Join Cast of The Woman in Black
News

Julian Forsyth and Matthew Spencer Announced as New Cast of The Woman In Black

25 West End Shows at £25
News

25 West End Shows at £25 Campaign Returns

THE WOMAN IN BLACK. Terence Wilton Arthur Kipps and Max Hutchinson The Actor. Photo Tristram Kenton
News

Terence Wilton and Max Hutchinson Return to The Woman in Black for Reopening

Comments 1

  1. Pingback: Operation Mincemeat Transfers to West End’s Fortune Theatre - Theatre Weekly
Twitter Facebook Youtube Instagram

At Theatre Weekly we give theatre a new audience. You'll find our theatre news, theatre reviews and theatre interviews are written from an audience point of view. Our great value London theatre tickets will get you the best deal for your theatre tickets.
Theatre Weekly, 124 City Road, London EC1V 2NX
  • Join Our Community
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us
  • Advertising

Recent News

Bradley Jaden Thomas Percy and Carrie Hope Fletcher Martha Percy Treason The Musical In Concert Production Images Photo credit Mark Senior

Treason Announces Album and First Fully Staged Production

the album

the album, an explosive collision of the ultimate music gig and dance show tours the UK

© 2022 Theatre Weekly

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Tickets
  • Digital Theatre
  • News
    • West End
    • Off West End
    • Regional & Tours
    • Digital
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • VAULT Festival 2023
    • Vault Previews
    • VAULT Reviews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer

© 2022 Theatre Weekly