The Woman in Black (need details)
The Woman in Black (need details)
EganFan2
Broadway Star Joined: 9/8/04
#0The Woman in Black (need details)
Posted: 4/5/06 at 2:28pmIt's not a typo :). I heard about the stage play "The Woman in Black" by Stephen Mallatratt. I know that it has a tiny cast, minimal set. And special effects. What do the effects consist of? If you don't want to spoil it, just PM me, please. I appreciate any help.
#1re: The Woman in Black (need details)
Posted: 4/5/06 at 2:58pm
The general effects are some (very) elaborate sound and lighting cues, as well as fog. You also need to find a skillful way to keep the title character's makeup shrouded in darkness.
If done correctly, this play is scary as hell.
starletta8
Broadway Star Joined: 12/11/05
#2re: The Woman in Black (need details)
Posted: 4/5/06 at 3:19pm
You may want to ask this question on the West End Board.
I can't remember all of the exact details, because it's been nearly 4 (!) years since I saw this show in London. But it's a hit over there and surely there are people who can answer this question with some expert knowledge.
It was a great play... very creepy.
seannak
Swing Joined: 4/4/06
#3re: The Woman in Black (need details)
Posted: 4/5/06 at 3:30pm
I saw this done at a small theatre a few years ago, they made extensive use of scrims. And because it was small she appeared in the audience sometimes...its the only play Ive seen that I was afraid I might scream out loud.... I think the cast was two guys and a non speaking woman...but there could have been more that I've just forgotten
#4re: The Woman in Black (need details)
Posted: 4/5/06 at 4:02pm
I saw this play in London last year, and let me tell you - It was the freakiest thing I ever saw. The theatre was also so small that it could've passed as the Grand Guignol, although the play is not gory. It masters itself in atmosphere and acting. I agree with broadway86 that if done correctly, this show is as scary as hell. Yet they only employ two actors, a small theatre, little to none set pieces, and sounds that freak the heck out of you.
You see, if the play was just done without any anticipation as it's done in London, it wouldn't be scary. I mean, who would be scared of a distant scream in a completely lit up theatre? They have numerous moments of suspense that are so high that by the time the actual scary sound effect come on, you just scream. It's like that.
God, I wish I could see this play again and again and again...
"I'm not in Bambi and I'm not blonde!" - Idina Menzel
philcrosby
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/17/04
#5re: The Woman in Black (need details)
Posted: 4/5/06 at 4:08pm
And let me repeat .... it works best in a small theatre where the actors are in really close proximity to the audience. The special effects themselves are not complicated. You need a director and actors who really know what they are doing.
Think good scary ghost stories around the campfire.
#6re: The Woman in Black (need details)
Posted: 4/5/06 at 5:30pmI've seen this play a few times, and it is an incredibly effective piece of theatre. Really damn creepy. But only if the two actors are very good, I've seen less good pairs and the whole thing just falls apart. The special effects are all pretty simple, veeery loud sound effects, amazing atmosphere building, things such as the man drops a torch and the beam of light shoots up to illuminate a ghostly face suddenly which was previously hidden in the darkness. Utterly haunting...
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