The Woman in Black

So, on Thursday night I had the good fortune to be asked to see "The Woman in Black" at the Fortune Theatre in Drury Lane.

It's been one of those plays I've been wanting to see for about ten years now. Unfortunately I'd got to the point where I assumed I was one of only twelve people in this damned city who hadn't seen it since everyone I mentioned it to went "Oh, yes... it's very good, you have to see it".

Thankfully two of us lost souls managed to find each other and wander along.

I went with a view to enjoying what I expected would be a moderately creepy tale. The reviews I'd read were all brimmed over with hyperbole about how scary and nerve-shredding it was but I honestly didn't expect a play with only two cast members to be particularly terrifying.

I was wrong.

The entire audience was jumping and screaming and suffering from heart-pounding goosebumps by the end. I didn't scream, I will add, but the number of jolts I suffered and "Jesus"es I yelped out were many, many many. My companion for the evening and I were clinging to each other in fear through most of the second act, and my skin was prickling right up the chilling - if, for me, clearly signposted - ending.

There's no horror, just two actors, a few costume changes, some gorgeous and clever set-design and a few loud noises. But it conjures up such a mesmerising, evocative and atmospheric tale that you can't quite believe your senses.

The fact it's now a set text on the National Curriculum means school parties are at most performances now but even the laughing cynical children couldn't detract from the atmosphere - as the tale progressed they became as terrified as everyone else. And it was heartwarming to see them be the first to jump to their feet at the end for the ovation.

It is a stunning piece of theatre - well crafted, brilliantly performed and staged and genuinely the most spine-chilling experience I've ever had. (It took me until the early hours of Friday morning to settle enough to sleep.)

If you're one of the ten people who still haven't seen it I urge you to go. And since Get into London Theatre is on at the moment you really don't have any excuse. (That said, even at full price it'd be worth it.)