The Woman In Black at Lighthouse Poole Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Helen O
Being a relative novice to stage productions rather than musical theatre and having heard so many good things about The Woman in Black, I couldn’t wait to take my seat for the opening night of its five‑night run at Lighthouse, Poole this evening. There was a genuine air of anticipation in the auditorium this evening, which certainly cranked up, as soon as the doors were shut and the lights began to dim. Once the performance began, you could have heard a pin drop, as the audience were on the edge of their seats.
Following on from an extraordinary 35 year run in London’s West End, the legendary production of Susan Hill’s chilling ghost story, adapted by Stephen Mallatratt, continues to keep audiences spellbound and tonight was no exception. The Woman In Black has already been seen by more than seven million people worldwide and after tonight’s performance, I can absolutely see why.
The story follows Arthur Kipps, an ageing solicitor who enlists the help of ‘The Actor’ to bring to life a ghostly tale that has tormented him for many years. Desperate to finally release himself from the ‘curse’ that has gripped him and to exorcise the Woman in Black from his life once and for all, he begins to recount the events that have tormented him. What unfolds on stage escalates from a simple attempt to tell his story to something much more unsettling.
The stage was sparsely set with a large wicker basket, a couple of chairs a shaggy grey curtain and a closed door. Unlike other productions I’ve seen, this simple arrangement was the mainstay for the entire performance and was cleverly manoeuvred by the actors to transform the space into a variety of settings- with just a few additions, as the performance went on.
We didn’t have to wait long to meet Arthur Kipps and The Actor. I had no idea that the performance would consist solely of two actors, but it worked brilliantly, most likely due to the phenomenal performances from both John Mackay (Arthur Kipps) and Daniel Burke (The Actor).
John Mackay was absolutely faultless, not only as the unsettled, slightly awkward Arthur Kipps, but also as a plethora of other characters depicted within Kipps’ story. Complete with accents, he bounced seamlessly between characters, with total conviction, keeping the audience captivated.
Similarly, Daniel Burke as ‘The Actor’ was effortlessly brilliant, delivering a completely believable and engaging performance. His energy, timing and ability to shift between humour and tension was enthralling, carrying the audience with him each step of the way.
The dynamic between this pairing was excellent. I was really impressed with the level of humour brought to the performance, which was particularly evident in the first half, which balanced out the much darker second half.
Rather than relying on spectacle, the real magic, despite the simple stage set‑up, was in the use of theatre itself. The use of light and darkness, sound and silence, built a fantastic sense of tension and atmosphere. The power of suggestion and the encouragement of the audience’s imagination is what truly sets this show apart.
The show is recommended for ages 12 years and over and based on the performance this evening, I think that’s absolutely appropriate, as long as they don’t scare too easily! With tickets starting from £25, I think it’s great value for such a high-quality performance.
The Woman in Black is appearing at Lighthouse, Poole until Saturday 21st February 2026, with a daily evening performance and two matinees during the run. I would absolutely recommend it, particularly if you enjoy a good scare.
Rating: 5/5
RRP – Ticket price from: £25
Buy tickets here: https://www.lighthousepoole.co.uk/event/the-woman-in-black/
Full tour dates can be found here: https://thewomaninblack.com/tour-dates
Address: Lighthouse, 21 Kingland Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1UG
Photo Credit: The Woman In Black