Tell us about the play Woman in Black ?
The Woman In Black is a Ghost Story like no other. It’s set in an old theatre and two actors tell the story and play multiple roles. They tell the story of a young solicitor who is sent to a remote estate and he encounters strange locals who have a terrible secret. It’s one of the most watched plays in the world and key to its success it’s incredible ability to ignite the imagination of audiences.
Which scene resonates most strongly with you and why ?
There are so many wonderful moments in the play that create a shrinking visual imprint. There is a scene towards the end of the play in act two where the secret of The Woman In Black is revealed. It’s told by one Actor to the other, with no special effects, no sound, and it’s riveting. It’s sends a shiver down my spine each time I hear it.
Any behind the scenes anecdotes ?
I’ve been storing some of the props from the show at my house during rehearsals, and one of them has been the famous rocking chair. One night, one of my daughters noticed it and remarked, “Hey, the chair is rocking by itself”. Yep. The Woman is back!
How would you describe the play in food form ?
Rich dark chocolate thick mud cake, but with each bite you are inching your way closer to the unexpected chilli centre.
Who or what inspires you ?
My children inspire me every day, and often in surprising ways. Most of the time I just want to make them feel proud.
What’s next for you ?
Well, I hope to take the show further afield, and that will probably be after one or two other shows first. Key for me is to firmly establish a fantastic Yarra Valley theatre company the community can feel connected to and proud of.
What’s your scene ?
Having spare time and being able to curl up with a glass of wine and watch something on Netflix. Just devoured “Stranger Things” and wow it sure took me back to my days of ET, The Goonies, IT, and Stand By Me.
About Justin Stephens: Director
Justin is emerging as one of Melbourne’s most electrifying directors. He has been commissioned by a number of companies with a strong history of excellent reviews. Justin first amazed audiences with his break-through production of Martin McDonagh’s A Skull In Connemara. He applied his broad talent to Direction, Set & Sound design to critical acclaim. He toured his next production of The 39 Steps, with a sell out run over 6 weeks of performances. The show then went on to win 11 theatre industry awards. Following this success Justin directed a local production of The Woman In Black, also winning multiple awards including best direction and sound design. He was invited to direct for professional productions at Chapel off Chapel and La Mama Courthouse. Justin was also commissioned to design set and special multimedia projections for Standing on Ceremony – The Gay Marriage Plays for the Midsumma Festival. His other credits include, God of Carnage, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, Darklight, and Over the River and Through The Woods.
About The Woman in Black
Unanimously acclaimed by the critics and now in its 28th year in London’s West End, with over 7 million people having seen the play.
The Woman In Black is a terrifying trip through time into a tragic and ghostly world where the horrors of the supernatural combine with the power and intensity of live theatre to send shock waves through the audience with splendid thrills and chills.
In this brilliant adaptation of Susan Hill’s horror novella, a traumatized man recruits a young actor to help him exorcise the ghost of the Woman in Black. As the two men perform the story, they combine some of the oldest theatrical techniques with modern cinematic styling.
This incredible production has two amazing actors who tell their story in an old fashioned way, relying on atmosphere, on hints, glimpses and suggestions, heard and sometimes only half seen. The Woman In Black chills the audience as it builds to its terrifying climax.
Adapted brilliantly for the stage by Stephen Mallatratt, it has been produced in over 40 countries and has thrilled audiences the world over with its heart-stopping story. In 2012, came the release of the big screen version starring Harry Potter’s Daniel Radcliffe, which with its spectacular box office became the biggest selling UK horror movie of the last twenty years.
Redfox3 is a new theatre company presenting productions in the Melbourne metropolitan and regional area. Established in the famous Yarra Valley wine region, the company aims to create work that is entertaining, engaging and speaks honestly to audiences.
Featuring local actors, this is RedFox3’s first production and Justin hopes to establish
an exciting and accessible local theatre company.
Directed by award winning director Justin Stephen, a resident of the Yarra Valley,
and brought to you by an exciting new theatre company, RedFox3. Justin is
emerging as one of Melbourne’s most electrifying directors. He has been
commissioned by a number of companies and acclaimed by critics.
“I love to be scared, and this story is truly creepy,” – Justin Stephens, Director, The
Woman In Black.
“The show can be truly terrifying to watch, one that you can’t look away from, even
though you wish you could. It’s this kind of Theatre that fascinates me,” says
Stephens. “Whenever you can rivet someone to their seats and extract an intense
emotional reaction it’s an amazing experience. If it’s comedy or drama…or in this
case, horror, I don’t mind. I’m most interested in shows that stay with me long after
the curtain has fallen.”
Be warned, nightmares may very well be a by-product of this eerie piece. Stephens
hope so but says: “In our house we have a little ritual after watching a scary movie. If
it’s truly scary we have to watch a comedy straight after just so we can sleep!
Maybe, if The Woman In Black can do a little bit of that to our audience, without
scaring them away for good, I’d be happy. Come in groups, it’s safer that way…”
“Justin Stephens has made the play fresh and exciting in every area…you begin to
understand just how impressive this production is. It is hard to imagine it being
bettered anywhere…could well give lessons to some of the well known set designers
in main stage theatre…a stunning soundscape…” – Stagewhispers
“I have never witnessed an audience jump and gasp in such genuine shock as they do here” Daily Telegraph
“The most brilliantly effective spine chiller you will ever encounter…if you haven’t
seen this show yet you are missing a treat” Daily Telegraph
“Prepare to be haunted by one of the best horror stories you will ever see on the stage.” – HELLO Magazine
“A real theatrical spine chiller…A truly nerve shredding experience.” – The Daily Mail
Performance Dates: Sat 20 August – Sun 04 September, 2016
Performance Venues: Warburton and Healesville
Upper Yarra Arts Centre, Warburton
SAT 20 AUG – 7.30PM
SUN 21 AUG – 2PM
Address: 3409 Warburton Hwy, Warburton
The Memo, Healesville
SAT 27 AUG – 7.30PM
SUN 4 SEP – 2PM
Address: 235 Maroondah Hwy, Healesville,
Tickets:
$28 Full
$24 Concession
$20 Group 6+
Bookings:
Online:
Phone: 1300 368 333
Email: boxoffice@yarraranges.vic.gov.au