Entertainment
Fans ‘distraught’ as The Woman In Black announces closure in London after 33 years: ‘I can’t imagine the West End without it’-Tori Brazier-Entertainment – Metro
It’s currently the fourth-longest production in West End history.
The popular play is the fourth longest-running production in West End history (Picture: PA)
The Woman In Black is to close in London’s West End after 33 years, much to the dismay of generations of fans.
The stage play, based on the 1983 book of the same name by Susan Hill, will have its final performance at the Fortune Theatre on March 4, 2023.
Its producer revealed that the ‘the economic reality of attracting so many young people’ had caught up with the show ‘in a world of rising prices’.
Since its opening night, The Woman In Black has had more than 13,000 performances in the West End and been seen by over seven million people in the UK, with many London-based school children taken to see it over the years.
In June 2019, the production celebrated its 30th anniversary with a special gala performance.
‘I somehow cannot imagine a West End without The Woman In Black,’ lamented one fan after hearing the news, while another tweeted: ‘No sarcasm here: seeing The Woman In Black in a basically empty Fortune Theater with my GCSE drama class is one of the greatest theatre experiences I have ever had.’
The Woman In Black has played over 13,000 performances (Picture: PA)
It’s been a staple of teenage school kids over the years (Picture: PA)
‘The drama teacher in me is distraught at this news,’ shared a third. ‘The Woman In Black offers the essence of theatre at its purest and it used to overwhelm annual cohorts of my students on visits to see it. As a yarn and a learning experience it’s a little miracle.’
Theatre journalist Fergus Morgan added: ‘Sad news that The Woman In Black will close in March after 33 years in the West End. I’ve seen it several times and it has never failed to scare me out of my wits.’
Producer Peter Wilson said in a statement: ‘The Woman In Black’s miraculous theatricality has never faltered.
Current cast member Julian Forsyth as Arthur Kipps in the show (Picture: PA)
Author Susan Hill, pictured after receiving her CBE in 2012, said she was ‘extremely sad’ to see the play close (Picture: Sean Dempsey – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
‘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.’
Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe starred in the 2012 film adaptation of Hill’s original book (Picture: Hammer Films/Momentum Pictures)
Following a Christmas production in 1987 at a pub in Scarborough, The Woman In Black was brought to Hammersmith’s Lyric Theatre in January 1989.
Its West End run began shortly after and began at the Strand, now Novello, before moving to the Playhouse, finally reaching the Fortune in June 1989.
Hill, writer of the novel, said she was ‘extremely sad’ the play was coming to an end at the Fortune Theatre.
no sarcasm here: seeing The Woman In Black in a basically empty Fortune Theater with my GCSE drama class is one of the greatest theater experiences I have ever had
— David Sims (@davidlsims) November 9, 2022
That is very sad news. I somehow cannot imagine a West End without The Woman In Black.
— Paul Dubz 🇺🇦 (@limeandonion) November 9, 2022
She added: ‘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 commented: ‘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.’
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The show currently stars Julian Forsyth as Arthur Kipps and Matthew Spencer as The Actor.
The Woman In Black is currently the fourth-longest running production in West End history, behind The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables and The Mousetrap, which celebrates its 70th anniversary later this month.
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