The Woman in Black @ Eye Theatre.

The Woman in Black @ Eye Theatre

By JANET CHAMBERS

A rare opportunity for a local audience to see a play currently showing in the West End has been created by Tom Scott, who was granted special permission to stage the spine-chilling thriller adapted by Stephen Mallatratt from Susan Hill's novel.

Eye Theatre, with its trap doors, cellars and adjoining rooms, is well suited to the spooky story brilliantly enhanced by atmospheric sound effects and evocative lighting.

Due to a change in casting during the rehearsals director Dominic Gray takes the lead part of Kipps, a young solicitor who is sent to an isolated house surrounded by eerie marshland, to settle the estate of the deceased owner.

This presents no problems for the talented Gray who is directing for the ninth time at Eye and making his 14th acting appearance. His performance in the demanding role was first rate, maintaining the tension throughout as well as making the most of the lighter comic touches.

Scott Ainslie, who plays a variety of roles including the dour coachman, a clerk with a sniff and a sympathetic barman, also excelled and proved an excellent foil for his co-actor.

Alison Crowther in the non-speaking title role is suitably macabre as she glides on and off the set.

The enthralling production runs until Saturday, March 24.