Theatre Unleashed Welcomes THE WOMAN IN BLACK

Theatre Unleashed is excited to present The Woman in Black, opening September 29 and running through November 4 at The Belfry in North Hollywood.

Adapted by Stephen Mallatratt and based on the book by Susan Hill, The Woman in Black is a chilling classic ghost story in its purest form. A lawyer who has experienced a recent tragedy and believes his family is cursed hires a skeptical but enthusiastic actor to help him tell his tale and hopefully exorcise the fear that paralyzes him. With the actor's help, he shares his story of that dark and stormy night when he first saw a horrifying specter, one that haunts the neighborhood where her illegitimate child was killed. As they prepare their performance, they experience something unsettling as they learn more about what happens to those who have witnessed The Woman in Black.

"While this is a popular play, one major difference in this production compared to others that audiences may have seen is the intimate space at The Belfry," said JacoB Smith, who is directing. "We don't have the benefit of a giant proscenium stage. Everything we do in this show has to be very precise, because it's basically like the theatre version of close up magic. The tightness of the space will hopefully add to the experience and make it feel like a more immersive experience."

Smith, a longtime Theatre Unleashed actor and director (Three Can Keep a Secret, Ligature Marks, Boy Gets Girl, The Birthday Boys), said it was both this challenge and the depth of the script that pulled him to directing this show.

"It's full of terrifying stories, sad tales, funny moments and, to me, a very genuine connection between the two men in the play," he said. "I was also very attracted to directing the piece because the actors are constantly playing other people, and their perceptions of those other people informs how much of a character is presented."

The Woman in Black opens soon after the closing of TU's hit soap opera comedy Camp Ragnarok. Check www.theatreunleashed.org for more information.

Adapted by Stephen Mallatratt and based on the book by Susan Hill, The Woman in Black is a chilling classic ghost story in its purest form. A lawyer who has experienced a recent tragedy and believes his family is cursed hires a skeptical but enthusiastic actor to help him tell his tale and hopefully exorcise the fear that paralyzes him. With the actor's help, he shares his story of that dark and stormy night when he first saw a horrifying specter, one that haunts the neighborhood where her illegitimate child was killed. As they prepare their performance, they experience something unsettling as they learn more about what happens to those who have witnessed The Woman in Black.

For further information, please call: (818) 849-4039

Or check out www.theatreunleashed.org