Probably the scariest ghost story ever to have been staged in the West End, The Woman in Black is Stephen Mallatratt's version of Susan Hill's novel about a young solicitor winding up the affairs of a bleak and lonely estate on a remote stretch of the coast.

As he soon discovers — to horrendous personal cost — the house is haunted . . . by a woman in black. A two-handed play with a minimal set, A Woman in Black nonetheless brings Hill's novel to life on the stage and is, paradoxically, very strong on atmosphere, on a sense of place.

There are at least two moments in the play when the audience literally jumps out of its seat, and the strength of writing and direction (Robin Herford), and regular cast changes (Joseph Fiennes had his first stage role in this play) has kept The Woman in Black fresh during its 13-year run. The current cast features Christopher Ravenscroft and Sebastian Harcombe.

—By Paul Webb Theatrenow.