The legendary production of Susan Hill’s thrilling ghost story, The Woman in Black, returns to the London stage this spooky season with a limited run at the Alexandra Palace. The timeless production was one of the most successful, running from 1989 to 2023 and becoming the second-longest-running play in West End history after The Mousetrap. Ahead of its run, Daniel Burke joined us to tell us more about the show and why it would be the perfect show to see this Autumn.
Daniel Burke. Headshot provided by production.
For those who aren’t familiar with the story, can you tell us what The Woman in Black is about?
The Woman in Black is a ghost story by Susan Hill about a young lawyer called Arthur Kipps who is sent to a remote corner of northern England to handle the affairs of a deceased client, Mrs Drablow, at her isolated and eerie home, Eel Marsh House. While there, he encounters the spirit of the Woman in Black, which will alter the course of his life forever.
It’s a distinctive play, do you think this adaptation of the book by Susan Hill will be recognisable to those who have read the book (or even seen the movie?)
Yes, I think it will. Though it is a unique take on the story, I think it will capture the imaginations of those who have read the book and seen the film, as well as those who are entirely new to the story.
You play the character of The Actor. What has been your favourite part of developing him, which you hope will come across with the audience?
One of the most enjoyable aspects of playing this character has been playing in the rehearsal room with who this young actor is, and why he decides to help Arthur Kipps in the way that he does. He’s a positive, confident character, who really believes in his ability to help a man who has clearly suffered a harrowing experience that he can’t seem to free himself of.
Fear and suspense is central to The Woman in Black. How do you build that atmosphere on stage, especially when it has a set which is considerably stripped back?
The set is quite sparse, which really requires us as actors to call on our imaginations, and those of the audience, to help us create the places and locations in the story, and of course, the atmosphere of fear and suspense. Lighting and sound effects really help here too, and the design of the play and our team are brilliant, which should hopefully all combine to create exactly the atmosphere we need to tell the story.
There’s only one other actor on the stage with you in this show, how crucial is it to develop the right relationship between your characters?
Extremely crucial, and for the most part I believe it comes from your ability to develop a good relationship as people and fellow artists. To develop a sense of trust and enjoyment between one another, so that you feel ready to perform as best as you can together. John is brilliant to work with and very generous, which is an invaluable quality to have on stage with you.
Is there a particular moment in the play that you are looking forward to performing every night?
It’s hard to choose a particular moment, but one thing I am looking forward to is feeling and noticing how different audiences react and come with us through the story as we move to different theatres on our journey round the UK.
Finally, if you were going to tell your own ghost story on stage based on a movie or book, what would it be?
Off the top of my head, maybe Sixth Sense or Pet Cemetery.
The Woman in Black plays at the Alexandra Palace from 8-25 October 2025.
