Chance to catch classic chiller

THE Woman in Black returns to the stage in the West Country next week starring John Mackay as Arthur Kipps and Daniel Burke as The Actor.

- JEFFREY DAVIES talks to John Mackay, who is to play Arthur Kipps in a celebrated production of Susan Hill's chilling ghost story, The Woman in Black, which is coming to Bath

> John Mackay, as Arthur Kipps, and Daniel Burke, as The Actor, in The Woman in Black

(Mark Douet)

Obsessed with a curse that he believes has been cast over him and his family by the spectre of a Woman in Black, Arthur Kipps engages a sceptical young actor to help him tell his terrifying story and exorcise the fear that grips his soul.

It begins innocently enough but, as they delve further into his darkest memories, the borders between make-believe and reality blur and the flesh begins to creep.

One of the most successful and longest-running theatre shows in the history of London's West End, this gripping production is said to be a brilliantly successful study in atmosphere, illusion and controlled horror.

Now seen by over seven million people, The Woman in Black continues to delight and terrify audiences of all generations.

“The most brilliantly effective spine-chiller you will ever encounter”, that's “guaranteed to chill the blood”. Just two of the glowing plaudits that have been heaped on Stephen Mallatratt’s celebrated adaptation of The Woman in Black which plays Bath’s Theatre Royal next week. Would John Mackay, who plays the role of Arthur Kipps in this iconic production, agree with that assessment?

“Oh, absolutely. Yes. Underneath it all is a very human story and that will really draw you in,” John agreed immediately.

“I think the two characters that take us through the story are very engaging. What surprised me about it when I came to do it - because I actually had never seen it on stage, hadn’t watched the film or read the book - was an impression of what it was going to be like and what it was about. It had all passed me by.

“I knew it was a ghost story so you expect something maybe a bit gloomy and a bit dark,” John, a graduate of the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, said with a laugh.