The Woman In Black to close in West End after more than 30 years

The Woman In Black is to close in the West End after more than 30 years.

PW Productions have announced that the long-running production will play its final performance at The Fortune Theatre, London on Saturday, 4 March 2023.

Susan Hill’s 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. The production first debuted at a pub in Scarborough. The current West End production opened at the Fortune on June 7, 1989.

Producer Peter Wilson said: “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, added: “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.”

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Stephen Mallatratt’s adaptation of Susan Hill’s best-selling novel tells the story of a lawyer obsessed with a curse that he believes has been cast over his family by the spectre of a Woman in Black. He engages a young actor to help him tell his story and exorcise the fear that grips his soul.

It begins innocently enough, but as they delve further into his darkest memories, they find themselves caught up in a world of eerie marshes and moaning winds. The borders between make-believe and reality begin to blur and the flesh begins creep.

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

It is directed by Robin Herford, with designs by Michael Holt and lighting by Kevin Sleep.