Theatre Review - The Woman in Black

Theatre Review

The Woman in Black 

Douglas Morrison Theatre - Hayward, CA

Reviewed By = Moe

     If I were to ask you, do you think three actors (one of which has no lines), alone on a stage, can put on an entire play about a ghost story and still be able to pull off a fully executed spine tingling array of horrifying madness? Of course not! You would need a slew of actors, great sets, special effects, and an amazing script! At least that's what logic tells you, right? Well, there are exceptions to logic, and The Woman in Black, playing right now at the Douglas Morrison Theatre takes that logic and turns it inside out.

     Arthur Kipps (C. Conrad Cady) has an unusual and rather disturbing story to tell. He's written a manuscript in the hopes of reading it to his family and friends, and has hired an actor (Mark Frazier) to teach him how to most effectively deliver it to his audience. Bored and annoyed at Kipps failed attempts to capture and keep his audience's attention, the actor has them act out the parts and re-live the story on stage for maximum effect.

     Years earlier, Kipps, a junior solicitor, was sent to the small market town of Crythin Gifford. His client, Alice Drablow had just passed away and its his responsibility to secure and itemize all of the legal papers found in her home. But something is amiss from the second he stepped off the train in this strange little town. His contact person offered little help, and the townspeople he encountered  once realizing why he was there, began acting strangely nervous and distant. It wasn't until his journey to the Eel Marsh House, a home situated at the end of a fog filled marsh accessible only during low tide, that he finally discovered the true and horrifying secrets of the home and the ghostly apparition known as the woman in black.

     Both Cady and Frazier are phenomenal in their roles. Frazier takes over as Kipps and does a splendid job narrating the story. His stage persona, charismatic looks, and line delivery give him a command over the audience that is truly captivating. Cady has an outstanding ability of character interpretation, as he plays an array of them throughout, flawlessly changing voices and accents to create an entirely new character right before your eyes. And the amazing part is you believe and accept each change wholeheartedly. Both actors also do an outstanding job in creating imagery within the props allowing the audience to easily imagine (among countless examples), a trunk transformed into a a train traveling through the English country side in one scene, to a pony and trap in another. Oh, and you'll never forget the adorable, yet invisible dog spider, who just loves playing fetch. I must also mention Cynthia Lagodzinski's portrayal of the Woman in Black. She has no lines, yet her ghostly appearances and calculated movements are sure to raise your heartbeat up a few notches each time she materializes on to the stage.

     Not only do the actors pull this tale off, but they are helped with amazing lighting and sound effects, including some well built backdrops only visible when the need arises. Director Marilyn Langbehn, Artistic Director Susan E. Evans, and Technical Director/Prop Master Tom R. Earlywine each deserve at least a standing ovation for the way they put all of this together in such an enthralling fashion.

     Needless to say, I have to mark The Woman in Black, a Must See Production. It has all the intrigue, suspense, and scare factor rolled together tightly for an exceptional live theater experience. Check it out soon! 

Rating = 4 1/2 out of 5 Golden Bridges

Title = The Woman in Black
Genre = Dramatic Play

Theater/City = Douglass Morrison Theatre

                           22311 N. Third Street
                           Hayward, CA

Contact Phone = (510) 881-6777

Production Dates = Now through September 29 

Ticket Prices = $21 - $29 

Click Here For More Info & Tickets - - - > http://gbm-theatres.info/morrisson.htm