Terror In Bath.....

I have always loved horror films, television and novels ever since I was little. While some boys preferred Cars, and Football, I was into Dracula, Frankenstein and anything else macabre I could gleefully consume. Much to the annoyance of my family, it has to be said.

I particularly enjoy a good Ghost story, probably because they are always at the classy end of the genre and have a proud literary tradition. Gathered around the fireside on Christmas Eve, to hear the terrifying words of M.R. James as the mist gathers outside. Marvellous.

Last night, I had the great fortune to watch "The Woman In Black" on stage at The Theatre Royal, Bath. I have seen this play three times in the last two decades, and it never fails to bloody terrify. This wonderful play is based on Susan Hill's chilling novel, and I would rate it as the finest example of the Ghost-Story genre, bar none.

The late Stephen Mallatratt who adapted the story for the stage, achieved something rare, actually improving on a great book which is probably a first.

I will not spoil the twists,turns and horror of the piece, because you have to experience it live, so just a brief taste...

It tells of a young junior lawyer who is sent to the creepy town of Crythin Gifford, to attend the funeral of a client and to settle her remaining affairs. It is there, where he nearly looses his sanity by staying in the client's remote and very haunted house. It lies in the middle of tidal marsh land which is cut off at certain points of the day. During his time there, he encounters the dreadful phantom of The Woman In Black. Although unusually for the genre, the haunting is not confined to the house. That is Susan Hill's basic story, but those concerned, bring it to life on stage in quite a unique way.

The Lawyer in question, hires an actor to act out his nightmarish story, to get rid of his nightmares and what we effectively see is their rehearsal/reconstruction. This allows for some surprising humour, as the two men interact. The play only stars two people ala Anthony Shaffer's Sleuth and both actors were sensational in demanding roles. There is also a really sad sense of tragedy to the piece that plays on the mind, long after.

The terrifying tale is bought to life on a minimalist set, but there is some terrific use of sound effects, and visual trickery. If you don't like 'jump scares' like the head in the boat scene of Jaws, this is probably best avoided....you have been warned.

There were a lot of teenage girls, and young women in the theatre last night, and the shrieking coming from the aisles was akin to being at a Beatles concert. But they were not fooling about, just utterly freaked out by a wonderfully realised piece of theatre. Although they made a hell of a lot of noise in the right places, I did not hear one silly comment or mobile phone going off. It was as if they were transfixed by it's power. Quite something in the age of Hollywood Blockbusters, Ipods and DVD.

One girl was actually in tears outside the theatre, saying it was "too horrible" but you do not see one lopped off limb or spurt of blood in the whole two hours duration.

I would rate this play as one of the most frightening entertainments of all time. Freddy Kruger, Jason, Pinhead and Hannibal Lecter, all seem like horror lightweights compared to Susan Hill's Woman In Black.

If you too, would like to be reduced to a quivering wreck, the play is in permanent residence at The Fortune Theatre, London.