Spine-chilling horror hit is playing out in Barnstaple this Halloween

Fans of classic spine-chilling horror are invited to steel their nerves and brace in their seats as eerie ghost story The Woman in Black plays at the Queen’s Theatre in Barnstaple this week.

The West End hit has four more performances in North Devon, running until Saturday (November 1) and makes the perfect accompaniment for the Halloween season.

Starring John Mackay as Arthur Kipps and Daniel Burke as The Actor, the show is on tonight (Thursday) and Friday at 7.30pm, with a 2.30pm matinee on Saturday and a final Saturday night showing at 7.30pm.

Above and below: The Woman in Black sees a lawyer engage a young actor to retell the story of his chilling experiences with the vengeful spectre during his younger days. Image from a previous production. Credit: Mark Douet

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Most people will be familiar with the period spine-chiller that follows a young lawyer’s visit to a remote estate where he soon begins to encounter ghostly happenings and the grief-ravaged insane spectre of the Woman in Black.

Her appearance is said to be a portent for the death of a child and the vengeful spirit is more than willing to play an active role in inflicting her own curse upon others.

The stage show is adapted by the novel from Susan Hill and is currently on a national tour after a record-breaking 33 year run in the West End.

It 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, the borders between make-believe and reality begin to blur and the flesh begins to creep…

Above: Credit: Mark Douet

John Mackay has a long string of West End credits to his name as well as many productions for the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Daniel Burke also has a number of theatre and RSC credits as well as televisions credits including in The Witcher and Rings of Power on Amazon Prime.

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The Woman in Black is directed by Robin Herford, with designs by Michael Holt and lighting by Kevin Sleep.

Get your fill of spine-chilling gothic suspense and horror with The Woman in Black at the Queen’s Theatre in Barnstaple this week – visit the Queen’s Theatre website for show times and ticket information.