The Women In Black

[londonbaby]

Posted: 2/14/06 at 5:18pm

hey has this play ever been seen on Broadway? i saw a few years ago at the Fortune theatre, it seriously is really scary! mayby even off-broadway- its good stuff...especially if you like a fright!

[Piazzaslight]

Posted: 2/14/06 at 5:23pm

First off, it's womAn in Black.

And yes, the show HAS been seen Off-Broadway in summer of 2001, from June 4th to July 8th, but flopped here because it "Didn't translate well" or something after 40 performances and 8 previews. Perhaps someone can provide insight on this?

And third off, I also saw it in London when I was there for Sping Break last April. Excellent show.

Updated On: 2/14/06 at 05:23 PM

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 2/14/06 at 5:24pm

Is it anyway related to the Woman in White? Awfully similar titles...

[Piazzaslight]

Posted: 2/14/06 at 5:27pm

Nope. Two different things entirely. One's a play, the other's a musical. One's a ghost story, he other is a mystery that has a ghost like character, and one has a large cast and a unique set, and the other has two (three..?) actors, and has a bare stage with a few props. Both are really good though, and this show SHOULD play Broadway. Maybe at the Helen Hayes, Lyceum or the Belasco?

Updated On: 2/14/06 at 05:27 PM

[londonbaby]

Posted: 2/14/06 at 5:28pm

no its not...it is really good though! its strange how things dont transfer well in other countries, broadway LOVEs Sweeny Todd, whereas in Uk it was only open 3 days and shut! (not saying anything bad about it so dont shoot me :S) lol

[philcrosby]

Posted: 2/14/06 at 5:31pm

The Woman in Black has played very successfully in regional theatres all over the country. All it needs is two terrific actors (and a terrific director ... the character of the "woman" is silent) plus a few props. I can imagine it would not work well on Broadway because it needs to be done in a very intimate space to work well. The theatre in London it has played in for years is tiny, just a few hundred seats. I saw it there, and it is a scary little delight.

[londonbaby]

Posted: 2/14/06 at 5:32pm

i havent seen the Women in White, i want to though! Women in black is really good and has played in London for many years now (i think something like 19 yrs? but im not 100% sure) it makes you jump!

[Piazzaslight]

Posted: 2/14/06 at 5:39pm

It's been playing in London since January 1st, 1987. It opened then at the Strand Theatre, and transferred to the Playhouse Theatre, before finally transferring to the Fortune Theatre on June 7th, 1989, and has stayed put there ever since.

By the way, did anyone else know that there was a T. V. film version of this play made? It is extremely rare, and has not been showed on T. V. very often, but it is worth one look. The play is FAR superior, though. You can get a copy of the film off eBay, which is where I got my copy (Mine wasn't a "Unowut".)

[LouieLovesTheater]

Posted: 2/14/06 at 6:13pm

Saw this in London a few years back...excellent show.

Saw it with a school group and even the toughest, jockiest guys were screaming like little girls by the end. It was very tense, very scary, and very well performed. Much of this is due to The Fortune Theater's incredibly intimate setting. I've seen it done regionally at a moderate sized house and it just didn't work as well.

That being said, if you're in London...don't miss it!

[broadway86]

Posted: 2/14/06 at 6:35pm

Saw this play two summers ago in London. I was reduced to a weeping mess by the time it was over. Truly, one of the most frightening things I've ever experienced. A must-see.

[MrsCurry]

Posted: 2/14/06 at 6:45pm

I was sitting on the back row of the gods when i saw this (hey - gotta love a student..;o)) and the intimate feel was still evident all the way up there. As somewhat of a wet blanket - i expected it to be much scarier - since friends had described it as the scariest thing theyd ever seen. I didnt really find it that bad...

Although - it's a really awesome play. Nothing like the sound of hundreds of people screaming like little girls and then breaking into nervous laughter

[joshy]

Posted: 2/14/06 at 6:47pm

Seen it twice in London. This depends so much on those two actors. Seen one bad pair, and the whole thing falls flat. But with two skilled performers, it's absolutely terrifying! Seems a very English piece to me, though...

[MrsCurry]

Posted: 2/14/06 at 6:52pm

I guess it is very 'English' when you think about it...hmmm id never really considered that fact before. But with the whole historical setting etc - maybe that's why it didnt translate too well on Broadway.