The theatrical experience can be beautiful and rewarding. The live performance can forge a strong connection between performers and audiences in ways they rarely encounter. However, it can be challenging, especially for a scaled-back production like The Woman in Black, which depends on mood and atmosphere to engage viewers.
I’m pleased to say that The Woman in Black succeeds, largely thanks to the three incredible actors involved in this production. The play is currently running for a month at the CAA Theater in Toronto.
The Woman in Black, the second-longest-running play in West End history, behind only The Mousetrap, is less about jump-scares and more about the personal horrors revealed before our eyes. Arthur Kipps (David Acton) is a haunted man in need of exorcizing demons. To that end, he hires help to tell his story, a man simply called The Actor (Ben Porter), because frankly, he can’t act. He wishes to tell his story to a few family members and friends. To save some embarrassment, The Actor is brought in to help him do just that.
RELATED: ‘The Woman in Black’ Play Actor Ben Porter Talks Breaking a 33-Year Trend (Exclusive)
As the story progresses, Porter jumps back and forth between The Actor and a young Arthur Kipps, while Acton plays numerous roles along the way. It can take a bit to get used to, and at times seems almost too much, but the acting is excellent. It propels the story forward, adding tension and dread along the way. There are some wonderful moments of fear bubbling over, and The Woman in Black herself makes an appearance on more than one occasion. Still, physical scares are a rarity.
A shout-out to the lighting design, the work of Anshuman Bhatia, for effectively enhancing the mood. The theatre becoming blanketed in total darkness on more than one occasion was more than a little eerie.
The set itself isn’t very complicated, but it’s arranged in intriguing ways that enhance the performance on many levels. That, combined with the aforementioned lighting, creates a great atmosphere, and the actors feed off of that throughout the show. Acton is excellent. While he plays several roles, his performance as Arthur Kipps stands out the most. You can feel the personal terror radiate from him, like the mist that appears occasionally in the show.
RELATED: ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial in Concert’ Review: A Magical Night With the Toronto Symphony Orchestra
Porter has the more challenging role, shifting between The Actor and the young Kipps. He crafts a thoroughly enjoyable performance from start to finish, giving us a terrifying glimpse into what Arthur Kipps indeed experienced and why it still haunts him today.
There is a lot of dialogue in a play like this, and the actors do well to make it enjoyable. Still, the story, written by Susan Hill and adapted by Stephen Mallatratt, tends to drag down a scene or two, especially after a jump scare or a darker, tense scene.
That said, this play depends on the actors selling the terror; there is no massive budget for explosions and special effects here. To that end, they do their jobs very well. Well spoken and with energy and passion, they make you feel like you are living the story with them and drag you along for the ride, wherever that may take you.
In the end, The Woman in Black is a success. A story like this relies on a sense of dread, atmosphere, and terror, and the actors give you that and more. Would I have liked more visual scares on the physical side? Yes, but director Robin Herford has a plan here and sticks to it. With excellent performances from the actors, this ghost story is really worth watching.
Catch The Woman in Black until January 4th, 2026, at the CAA Theatre in Toronto.
