Take a day trip to Cuttyhunk
Your Theatre's current production of "The Woman in Black" is filled with suspense, rich sounds and images, and some impressive performances that stir and linger.
The play is a clever and inventive tale-within-a-tale derived by Stephen Mallatratt from the Susan Hill novel. It is set on a bare stage in an empty theater. A man named Arthur Kipps is determined to take lessons from an actor on how to best tell his "ghost story."
The secret behind Mr. Kipps' story is far deeper than entertainment to him, and goes into the realm of personal horror and tragedy. All the while, the actor tries to guide and steer him through the re-telling with skill and daring which lead to some unexpected consequences.
Stephen Kay is superb as Mr. Kipps. He shows himself to be a versatile and highly skilled performer as he deftly glides from one character to another with grace and finesse, full of nuance and polish. He smoothly adapts his gait and posture to each evolving character. Mr. Kay delivers with elegance and guile all that is needed to create and populate a vivid world filled with different people.
As the haunted Mr. Kipps, Mr. Kay is fine and vivid, portraying an unskilled reader to great effect. As a host of other characters, he is bold and vigorous. His cart driver is a total transformation that is engaging and provocative.
Ray Veary is no less effective as the self-confident actor who helps Mr. Kipps practice his craft. As the nameless actor, he is cocky, full of poise and vigor at every turn. When he portrays the protagonist of the tale as Mr. Kipps, he is engaging and vivid. Mr. Veary is full of emotional nuances, always sincere and provocative. His range of emotions from amusement to terror are robustly drawn.
At the same time, he is taut and controlled in his performance, astutely aware and able to convey whatever he needs with often only a look or gesture, able to transform himself from the actor to other characters with grace and style.
Maureen Bennett glides in and out as the woman in black of the title to great effect. Her haunting presence lingers and intrigues as the tale unfolds.
Special mention must be made of the incredible range of sound and lighting effects provided by Charles W. Sanderson and Lawrence R. Houbre Jr. respectively. They deftly handle an impressive array of sound and light cues (more than 125), which are so necessary to mood and effect throughout the play, truly enhancing the production without every intruding.
Director Edward J. Maguire shows an assurance and skill here that are impressive. The pace is relentless, building and building, full of intrigue and passion. The blend of technical effects and bold performances make this production memorable.
This cast and crew deliver a show which is often haunting, but more than a ghost tale told around a nighttime fire in a safe place. The performances are deft and riveting, the material certainly not the type you see onstage every day. There is something vivid and enticing here, not to be missed.
"The Woman in Black" will be staged again at Your Theatre, 8 tonight and Saturday, and Jan. 31-Feb. 3. There is a 2:30 p.m. matinee this Sunday. The Jan. 30 performance is sold out. For ticket information, call the box office at (508) 993-0772.
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