Woman in Black

Are you going to see 'the Woman in Black'? we have longstanding connections with this masterpiece in Scarborough. Are you sitting comfortably? then I'll begin (it's okay you don't have to sit crosslegged on the floor but try not to suck your thumb!)

Susan Hill was born and brought up in Scarborough and in fact wrote a beautiful children's book about being brought up on South Cliff and playing in the Esplanade Gardens, sadly she no longer lives here but is attending our literature festival this year, hurrah! However, 'The Woman in Black' is a surprisingly short book yet chilling in the extreme in fact we were astounded to see the film was 12A! Many years ago I used to work at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough home to the distinguished playwright Sir Alan Ayckbourn , now don't get too excited I only sold ice creams to supplement the family income but did get the chance to mingle/oggle with/at the artistic and famous . There was a young writer called Stephen Mallatrat who adapted Susan Hill's novel and 'The Woman in Black' play was born. Now this play has gone on to be one of the most long running shows in the West End and has played all over the world, have you seen it? I feel proud to have seen the very first production in the making and I have to say it is astounding how they manage the special effects on stage , unbelievable! funny story about Stephen Mallatrat.. he used to write for Coronation Street as did a lot of the writers at the SJT  and used to work at Sir Alan Ayckbourns house in an office, one day my friend Mike was handmaking some furniture at the house for Sir Alan and switched off the power by mistake, unfortunately Stephen had not backed up his work and the whole episode was lost! oops bad day at work in the extreme don't you think! anyway I digress, can't wait to see the film and it only seems fitting to go back to the SJT to see it. Of course you may not know this but there has been another film made previously but just for tv, it used to be shown regularly on Christmas Eve, a traditional time for ghost stories . I remember being taken as a child to the Castle Museum to listen to the ghost story on ChristmasEve in the Victorian Street and be scared witless! I still have no idea why it's a tradition at Christmas?!! anyway I shall be reviewing the film shortly and would appreciate any views you may have and we'll see what Susan Hill has to say as well! Have a great day (sorry about my picture of the SJT it went walkabout...don't you just hate that!!!)