The Woman In Black Arrives in Melbourne
The most terrifying live theatre experience in the world arrives in Melbourne tonight. The Woman in Black has been receiving rave reviews across the country, and is playing at the Atheneum Theatre until 6 July.
The Woman in Black, described by The Guardian as “A Masterpiece” and by the Daily Telegraph (UK) as “The most brilliantly effective spine chiller you will ever encounter”, is the second longest-running play in West End history, after Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap. Susan Hill’s acclaimed ghost story comes dramatically alive in Stephen Mallatratt’s ingenious stage adaptation, a brilliantly successful study in atmosphere, illusion and controlled horror.
This gripping production stars two of Australia’s most acclaimed actors, John Waters and Daniel Mac Pherson. With a career spanning 50 years, John Waters is well known for lead roles in the film Breaker Morant and the television series Rush, All the Rivers Run, Rake and his 20-year run on Play School.
His prolific stage work includes Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, They’re Playing Our Song opposite Jackie Weaver, The Sound of Music opposite Lisa McCune, and his one-man show Looking Through a Glass Onion. John previously starred across Australia in The Woman in Black in 2006, opposite Brett Tucker.
Daniel MacPherson has conquered film, television and stage roles across the world in a career that has spanned over 25 years. After rising to fame on Neighbours, Daniel spent two years in the UK on the TV series The Bill and starred on stage in Godspell alternating in the roles of Jesus and Judas.
Internationally, he has starred in the TV series Strike Back, APB, The Shannara Chronicles and Foundation, and his feature film credits include Poker Face, A Wrinkle In Time and the sci-fi films The Osiris Child and Infini.
On Australian television, Daniel has had lead roles in City Homicide and Wild Boys, as well as hosting Dancing with the Stars for seven seasons. Most recently Daniel featured on stage in 2:22 – A Ghost Story opposite Ruby Rose, Gemma Ward and Remy Hii and will next be seen opposite Russell Crowe in the upcoming feature Land of Bad.
The Woman in Black is a testament to the power of imagination – Limelight
A gift for two first-rate actors and Waters and MacPherson are both excellent and energetic – splendid in their respective roles and offering finely nuanced performances – Arts Hub
Tour de force performance… five-star production is not to be missed- Broadway World
Skilfully placed heart-stopping thrills, the play offers a visceral experience unlike any other – Blue Curtain Brisbane
Ingenious – a journey into fear” – Ben Brantley, New York Times
Waters gives the performances of his life – Stage Whispers
MacPherson is perfect – Scenestr
Written in 1983, Susan Hill’s The Woman in Black has become one of the most successful gothic novels in the English canon. A perfect example of horror and gothic writing, readers are transported to the eerie setting of Eel Marsh House in the small market town of Crythin Gifford in the north of England.
The story is told through the first person narration of Arthur Kipps, who begins the novel too distressed to share a ghost story with his family, and then recounts how as a young solicitor he was sent to oversee the funeral of a Mrs Alice Drablow, a client of his law firm.
Along the way he encounters many who seem unwilling or unable to share the secrets of Eel Marsh House and its inhabitants, until he himself encounters the Woman in Black, and begins to unravel the mystery of the haunted past and eerie spectre he sees.
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