The Woman In Black Reviews
DC Theater Arts- Recommended
"...But rest assured, The Woman in Black — written by Stephen Mallatratt based on the 1983 book by Susan Hill — does eventually become ghostly, and the Keegan Theatre’s “back by popular demand” production, now playing through November 17, is thoroughly haunting in its best moments, even if it struggles to ascend beyond its main trick of spine-tingling suspense."
MetroWeekly- Somewhat Recommended
"...Life imitates art, and not favorably, in Josh Sticklin's uneven staging of The Woman in Black at the Keegan Theatre. The play, by Stephen Mallatratt, based on Susan Hill's gothic horror novel, opens with older Englishman Arthur Kipps (Robert Leembruggen) reciting the tale of a past incident that still haunts him."
Washington City Paper- Highly Recommended
"...Mallatratt’s script is skillful in its sustained release of seemingly innocuous details that quickly add up near the play’s end. Compared to other gothic horrors, like Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, The Woman in Black doesn’t pose big moral quandaries that inspire deep reflection. Sure, there are questions of loss, regret, and hubris. But the play is first and foremost a ghost story, and its compelling plot and satisfying twists are more than enough to keep a viewer invested. In its relative simplicity, it is refreshingly spooky."
MD Theatre Guide- Highly Recommended
"...Mutterperl, fresh from his role as Dracula in “Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors,” demonstrates his versatility, while Leembruggen reprises his role from the 2013 production. Despite their strong performances, the actors are burdened with alternating between narrating and acting. Doing both simultaneously detracts from a more immersive and chilling experience and also impedes a sustained atmosphere of fear."
Theatre Bloom- Recommended
"...When the crypt door creaks and the tombstones quake… and all those other thrillifying haunted things that trickle down through the mist to send shivers up the spine this time of year…it can only mean one thing. Spooky season is upon us! And delving into the vein of stage thriller, The Keegan Theatre presents The Woman in Black, by Stephen Mallatratt (based on the novel by Susan Hill) now through November 17th 2024. Directed by Josh Sticklin, this eerie, ephemeral stage drama tells the harrowing tale of a ghost story… in a small Victorian theatre…and will leave you wondering whether or not you too believe in the spiritual aftermath of what lies beyond the veil of death."
BroadwayWorld- Highly Recommended
"...The show invites the audience (quite literally) to step into the world of imagination. To suspend their disbelief and enjoy a ghost story within a play, within a play. It is evocative of the ancient human tradition of gathering in a dark room at night and whispering scary stories to each other. The stylish technical aspects of the show in tandem with the wonderful world Leembruggen and Mutterperl paint with their performances allow the audience to slip into that spooky room and hear a ghastly tale. The two performers are a treat to watch, they play the scenes as needed, and clearly understand each other the text on an alchemical level."