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Summary. The framework of this spine tingler is unusual: a lawyer hires an actor to tutor him in recounting to family and friends a story that has long troubled him concerning events that transpired when he attended the funeral of an elderly recluse.
The ghost of a scorned woman, who was unable to save her beloved son Nathaniel from drowning, The Woman In Black takes on a horrifying form. Set on vengeance, her veil hides gaping sockets eaten away by scavengers and her curse hides an even darker secret ...whenever she is seen, a child dies.
I like to look about me at the sky above my head, whether there are moon and stars or utter blackness, and into the darkness ahead of me; I like to listen for the cries of nocturnal creatures and...
- Also by Stephen Mallanatt
- Actor Sir?
- Kipps Why long?
- Actor Yes.
- Actor Nine-thirty
- The Woman in Black
- Actor Oh truly.
- Kipps At leasr
- Itmustbe told.
- Act I
- I doubt Landlord I
- Kipps For all you deny it, you damn well willbe an Irving! Now then,
- Actor In one?
- Actor You have?
- Kipps moves to go as the Liglusfade to Black-out
- Act I
- Kipps Somewhere else? Kipps prils his eyes awayfrom her
- TheWoman in Black Act I
- Jerome Ayoungwoman?
- Actor If you wish. It is quite startlingly beautiful, the wide, bare openness of iL This sense
- Keckwick Till five.
- Involrntaily,Kipps steps backapace or ht)o,then stands as iffrozen.The
- Actor One door is locked.
- Keckwick Nigh on nvo.
- ACT II
- Jerome Ah. Yes. (At length) T[on't you, er- won't you come in?
- Actor Yes.
- H e take s a few de e p br e at hs and comp o s e s hims elf . Kip p s ap pr ac he s him o
- Sam Daily Ah.
- Kipps I am.
- Kipps Will she come with me?
- Acttr
- The Woman in Black
- Actor In Scotland, a son is born o her and she writes of him with a
- w o' dt' T h'y t p
- Kipps What is it, Spider?
- Acttr
- Iæt it be moming ... let it be lighr
- Actor He strnds amazed and bewildered, as Spider's small form recedes
- Againtlvwhistle
- ActorHegrabsherneck,justasttrelastofherbodysiriks'Hehaulsand
- The Lightsfade up slowly as Kipps cotnes round
- Kipps I'm better. I'm all righr
- Kipps No.
- Daily.
- The full extent of tlu dcvasation is revealed
- Black-ow
- Kipps I do not doubt, Mr Daily
- Sam DailY fuûur-
- Sam Daily fu'thur-
- Acttr
- (As the spot slowlyfindshirn)Ourbaby son hadbeen thrownclear, clear
- Kipps Who is she?
- Actor Ayorng woman?
published by Samuel French Ltd An Englishman's Home ... A snnll Victorian theare The proscenium has its gilding and its cherubs, and tlu curtains are gathered atthe sidcs revealing a stage that is unpreparedfor performance and devoid of scenery. On the stage is a clutter of ctoths, boxcs and furnitwe. This clutter will evolve according to the needs...
Kipps Just now we are alone here in this theatre. These rows of empty seats are unlikely to Fotest as you hum and mumble through your linas. Butbelieveme, sir-speak them thusbeforean audienceand you'll see them one by one expire with boredom. Pause Actor It was nine-thirty on Christmas Eve. As I crossed the long entrance hall of my house, on my Kip...
Actor Because it is. Kipps Have sympathy for your audience. Are they interested in its length? Pause Actor I apologize. I am clearly wasting your Ûrme. (He puts his manuscipt in his poclæt and moves to learc) Kipps Stay where you are. Actor This is a foolish adventure. I should never have come. Kipps You did, however. And you have paid me for the d...
Kipps As one practised in these things. Actor Yes. Kipps As one who will impart to you the rudiments of public speaking, who will offer adviceasto eryressiananddelivery, and, above all, instill in you the confîdence to stand up and make a go of it! Actor Confidence? Kipps Yes, confidence! Now then. Nine-thirty. Christnas Eve. Excite-menl Anticipati...
Kipps Not on Christmas - Eveby any chance? Good gracious! Actor I'm very sorry, this clearly isn't a success, I Kipps You see, it doesn't come in five minutes. you - think ûo stand up, recite your tale, and have your audience hang upon your words. As if that's all ittakes.In whichcase, whyd'you come tomeforhelp? Sothat I'll say, "yes, wonderful, wi...
Kipps Yes! Advice! Actor [t sounds more like reproval. Kipps I promise you that as the day goes on it's likely to sound more so. Actor May I just say itisnotaperformance that I wish !o give. No. I think - we are at a misunderstanding in that respect I wish to - speak it No more. For my family, only. For those who need to know. I am not a performer ...
Kipps In your hand is a manuscript which, on estimate, will take five hours to read. If you, as an acknowledged non-performer, should stand before an audience, however friendly, and drone at them for longer than it takes toplay King Lecr, I trust you will be unsurprised if by the end of it they're either fast asleep or at your throat. Actor Five ho...
Actor Good heavens. (P ause) I'd no idea ve hour s? (p ause. H e - I fi - slumps into a chair) I cannot possibly. (pause. At length he lool
Black-out.Whenthe Lightsreturn, the House Lights stay off. Kipps is now on the stage, with the manuscript. Kipps reads itatherwell. A bit actorish, certainly, butwithenthusiasrnand skill.Tlrc Actorwall
5 I shouldeveragainrenew my acquaintance with mortal dread andterror of spirit, would have seemed at that moment impossible. I took a last look at the frrosty darlness, sighed contentedly, and went in, to the happy company of my family. At the far end of the room stood the tee, candlelit and bedecked, and beneath it were the presents. There were va...
I doubt whether even Samuel shall. Whatever practical help I need I, m sure the local a farm a few agent will provide Kipps I don't think I fully undersund you. I gather there is and I don'i intend to be here more than day or two. miles out of the town. Landlord (dismissivel) Hoggecs! Fifty acres and half of it under flood Daily looks at himin sile...
tomorro\p I should like o work right through to the end.
Kipps If we are able. How does that seem? Actor I have a horror of iL \Yaæhing you, it is as if I relive it all, moment by moment ... though you, of course, will never suffer as I did - I must always tell myself that Kipps moves to him and gently tùcs his hand Kipps But never think I don't feel for you. I have a child myself.
Kipps A daughter. She is forn. Actor And well? And happy? Kipps I thank Providence. Actor (eurcstly gripping Kipps' s hand)Love her. Take care of her. (A pause as he looks into Kipps' s eyes) Well work to the end. And, all being well, tomorrow - tomorro\ry. yes. Let us / shall have a surprise for you.
The Ligltts come up to suggest the dawning of a cisp, clear day, and we lwar the hubbttb of the market place as Kipps attaches a black armband to his sleeve . The Actor , as Mr J erome , comes up to Kipps . Lilæ Kipps , he wears a black tie and armband. The Actor has learnt his words and is no longer reading Jerome Mr Kipps?
19 Kipps Yes indeed. Jerome (ofering his land) Mr Jerome. Your agent here' Kipps Of course. How d'you do. Jerome I trust you spent a comfortable night? Kipps I can't remember when I've slept so well. Jerome Good, good. It's a sad business, ttrat brings you here. Kipps Yes. Of course, I never met lvlrs p6$lev Jerome No. Ofcoruse.I don'twish to hurry...
Jerome It is ... no longer in use. The area is unsuitable. Kipps (stopping walking; turning n _ lerome) I'm afraid I don't quite As he turns away, so slw moves back down thc aisle understand Butthanksbe ûoGod, which giveth us thevictorythrough ourlordJesus But Jeromc csrtes on walking. The Lights suggest the interior of the Christ. Therefore, my be...
23 The-uoice-over fades down. Kipps turns away from the woman in Black and kneels to prayfementty ai ine gr*"rUi (At length)MrJerome, can you take my arm... I wouldbe obliged if you would loosen your grip a little ... if you can just walk a few steps, back The Woman in Blackrnoves away to the church ... path ... I saw abench there, a little way ins...
Kipps Yes, yes, with the skin s'etched Kipps nods over her bones, I could scarcely bear to look at her ... she was rall, ,t u""i"r-ryp"îrîî, suppose _. r to try and conceal You will find Mr Keckwick perfectly as much obliging. as she could of h", fu"",pooirfring. "rn*, " Kipps Good. Jerorne boksfrozen, pare, his throat Jerome Though not very commun...
Kipps And will there be more - surprises? of space, the vastness of the sky I would have travelled a thousand actor I will do my very best, though I cannot be altogether confident. - miles to see this. I have never imagined such a place! Kipps gives the Actor' s hand afinalfervent slwke then signals to the back They trot on, the silence broken by n...
Kipps Listen. It will be quite ridiculous for you to be driving to and fro twice a day. The best thing will be for me to bring my bags and some food and drink and stay a couple of nights here. That, way I shall finish the business a good deal more effrciently and you will not be troubled. I'll return with you laær this afæmoon and then, ûomorrow, p...
Womanin6lackk amongstwlatwe thinkof as the gravestones.It is not clear tlwt slu stares at Kipps, nor that she doesn't The moment is lvld in silence, then the Woman dips away and out of sielrt do es, Kipp s ruslw s after ler to look tlw way s hc' s go ne' H e As so on as s he stands at tlre exit, searching with his eyes, tlrcn 4t length rnoves back ...
Kipps At the far end of a passage ttrat led away from three bedrooms on the second floor. There was no keyhore, no bolt on the outside. (ËIe rattles it and kicks at it angrily, beating it with his fîsts. Then, as his anger subsides, he slides, sobbing, to tla floor) Tlu Actor is now dressed as Keckwick. He stands at the foot of the steps, as the do...
Kipps I wouldn't have expected you to come back at this hour. It's very good ofyou. Keckwick I wouldn't have left you over the nighr Wouldn't have done that to you. Kipps (suddenty) But what happened ûo you, how do you manage to be here - how didyou get out? Kech,+tick looks a long moment into Kipps' s face ' Then he clitnbs on the trap once nnre. ...
There is tlu sound of tlw busy market town The Actor, as Jerome, sits working at his desk Kipps enters and knocks on his door ferome answers, evidently with reluctance Kipps MrJerome.
Kipps (stepping iz) I tust you are fully recovered after your experience at À[rs Drablow's - funeral? Jerome Thank you, yes. Thankyou. Silence Kipps No doubt you're wondering why I'm here. Jeromc doesn't respond You see, I hadno idea-I don'tknow whetheryou had-of thevolume of papers belonging to Ivhs Drablow. Tons of the sûrff and most of it, I've ...
Kipps Is there anything the matter? You look unwell' Pause Actor (ct length) I did not see a young woman' As the Lights fade, we lrcar again tlw rhytlanic bump' bump' pause "' bump,bury, Pause .-. Black-ottt Cunrmt 6 ale Woman in Black Kipps "Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes ..." Actor oh yes, ofcourse. (A beat)youthen, for thepurpose o...
Kipps Is there anything the matter? You look unwell' Pause Actor (ct length) I did not see a young woman' As the Lights fade, we lrcar again tlw rhytlanic bump' bump' pause "' bump,bury, Pause .-. Black-ottt Cunrmt 6 ale Woman in Black Kipps "Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes ..." Actor oh yes, ofcourse. (A beat)youthen, for thepurpose o...
Kipps Is there anything the matter? You look unwell' Pause Actor (ct length) I did not see a young woman' As the Lights fade, we lrcar again tlw rhytlanic bump' bump' pause "' bump,bury, Pause .-. Black-ottt Cunrmt 6 ale Woman in Black Kipps "Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes ..." Actor oh yes, ofcourse. (A beat)youthen, for thepurpose o...
Kipps Is there anything the matter? You look unwell' Pause Actor (ct length) I did not see a young woman' As the Lights fade, we lrcar again tlw rhytlanic bump' bump' pause "' bump,bury, Pause .-. Black-ottt Cunrmt 6 ale Woman in Black Kipps "Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes ..." Actor oh yes, ofcourse. (A beat)youthen, for thepurpose o...
Kipps Is there anything the matter? You look unwell' Pause Actor (ct length) I did not see a young woman' As the Lights fade, we lrcar again tlw rhytlanic bump' bump' pause "' bump,bury, Pause .-. Black-ottt Cunrmt 6 ale Woman in Black Kipps "Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes ..." Actor oh yes, ofcourse. (A beat)youthen, for thepurpose o...
Kipps Is there anything the matter? You look unwell' Pause Actor (ct length) I did not see a young woman' As the Lights fade, we lrcar again tlw rhytlanic bump' bump' pause "' bump,bury, Pause .-. Black-ottt Cunrmt 6 ale Woman in Black Kipps "Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes ..." Actor oh yes, ofcourse. (A beat)youthen, for thepurpose o...
Kipps Is there anything the matter? You look unwell' Pause Actor (ct length) I did not see a young woman' As the Lights fade, we lrcar again tlw rhytlanic bump' bump' pause "' bump,bury, Pause .-. Black-ottt Cunrmt 6 ale Woman in Black Kipps "Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes ..." Actor oh yes, ofcourse. (A beat)youthen, for thepurpose o...
Kipps Is there anything the matter? You look unwell' Pause Actor (ct length) I did not see a young woman' As the Lights fade, we lrcar again tlw rhytlanic bump' bump' pause "' bump,bury, Pause .-. Black-ottt Cunrmt 6 ale Woman in Black Kipps "Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes ..." Actor oh yes, ofcourse. (A beat)youthen, for thepurpose o...
Kipps Is there anything the matter? You look unwell' Pause Actor (ct length) I did not see a young woman' As the Lights fade, we lrcar again tlw rhytlanic bump' bump' pause "' bump,bury, Pause .-. Black-ottt Cunrmt 6 ale Woman in Black Kipps "Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes ..." Actor oh yes, ofcourse. (A beat)youthen, for thepurpose o...
Kipps Is there anything the matter? You look unwell' Pause Actor (ct length) I did not see a young woman' As the Lights fade, we lrcar again tlw rhytlanic bump' bump' pause "' bump,bury, Pause .-. Black-ottt Cunrmt 6 ale Woman in Black Kipps "Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes ..." Actor oh yes, ofcourse. (A beat)youthen, for thepurpose o...
Kipps Is there anything the matter? You look unwell' Pause Actor (ct length) I did not see a young woman' As the Lights fade, we lrcar again tlw rhytlanic bump' bump' pause "' bump,bury, Pause .-. Black-ottt Cunrmt 6 ale Woman in Black Kipps "Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes ..." Actor oh yes, ofcourse. (A beat)youthen, for thepurpose o...
Kipps Is there anything the matter? You look unwell' Pause Actor (ct length) I did not see a young woman' As the Lights fade, we lrcar again tlw rhytlanic bump' bump' pause "' bump,bury, Pause .-. Black-ottt Cunrmt 6 ale Woman in Black Kipps "Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes ..." Actor oh yes, ofcourse. (A beat)youthen, for thepurpose o...
Kipps Is there anything the matter? You look unwell' Pause Actor (ct length) I did not see a young woman' As the Lights fade, we lrcar again tlw rhytlanic bump' bump' pause "' bump,bury, Pause .-. Black-ottt Cunrmt 6 ale Woman in Black Kipps "Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes ..." Actor oh yes, ofcourse. (A beat)youthen, for thepurpose o...
Kipps Is there anything the matter? You look unwell' Pause Actor (ct length) I did not see a young woman' As the Lights fade, we lrcar again tlw rhytlanic bump' bump' pause "' bump,bury, Pause .-. Black-ottt Cunrmt 6 ale Woman in Black Kipps "Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes ..." Actor oh yes, ofcourse. (A beat)youthen, for thepurpose o...
Kipps Is there anything the matter? You look unwell' Pause Actor (ct length) I did not see a young woman' As the Lights fade, we lrcar again tlw rhytlanic bump' bump' pause "' bump,bury, Pause .-. Black-ottt Cunrmt 6 ale Woman in Black Kipps "Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes ..." Actor oh yes, ofcourse. (A beat)youthen, for thepurpose o...
Kipps Is there anything the matter? You look unwell' Pause Actor (ct length) I did not see a young woman' As the Lights fade, we lrcar again tlw rhytlanic bump' bump' pause "' bump,bury, Pause .-. Black-ottt Cunrmt 6 ale Woman in Black Kipps "Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes ..." Actor oh yes, ofcourse. (A beat)youthen, for thepurpose o...
Kipps Is there anything the matter? You look unwell' Pause Actor (ct length) I did not see a young woman' As the Lights fade, we lrcar again tlw rhytlanic bump' bump' pause "' bump,bury, Pause .-. Black-ottt Cunrmt 6 ale Woman in Black Kipps "Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes ..." Actor oh yes, ofcourse. (A beat)youthen, for thepurpose o...
Kipps Is there anything the matter? You look unwell' Pause Actor (ct length) I did not see a young woman' As the Lights fade, we lrcar again tlw rhytlanic bump' bump' pause "' bump,bury, Pause .-. Black-ottt Cunrmt 6 ale Woman in Black Kipps "Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes ..." Actor oh yes, ofcourse. (A beat)youthen, for thepurpose o...
Kipps Is there anything the matter? You look unwell' Pause Actor (ct length) I did not see a young woman' As the Lights fade, we lrcar again tlw rhytlanic bump' bump' pause "' bump,bury, Pause .-. Black-ottt Cunrmt 6 ale Woman in Black Kipps "Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes ..." Actor oh yes, ofcourse. (A beat)youthen, for thepurpose o...
Kipps Is there anything the matter? You look unwell' Pause Actor (ct length) I did not see a young woman' As the Lights fade, we lrcar again tlw rhytlanic bump' bump' pause "' bump,bury, Pause .-. Black-ottt Cunrmt 6 ale Woman in Black Kipps "Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes ..." Actor oh yes, ofcourse. (A beat)youthen, for thepurpose o...
Kipps Is there anything the matter? You look unwell' Pause Actor (ct length) I did not see a young woman' As the Lights fade, we lrcar again tlw rhytlanic bump' bump' pause "' bump,bury, Pause .-. Black-ottt Cunrmt 6 ale Woman in Black Kipps "Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes ..." Actor oh yes, ofcourse. (A beat)youthen, for thepurpose o...
Kipps Is there anything the matter? You look unwell' Pause Actor (ct length) I did not see a young woman' As the Lights fade, we lrcar again tlw rhytlanic bump' bump' pause "' bump,bury, Pause .-. Black-ottt Cunrmt 6 ale Woman in Black Kipps "Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes ..." Actor oh yes, ofcourse. (A beat)youthen, for thepurpose o...
Kipps Is there anything the matter? You look unwell' Pause Actor (ct length) I did not see a young woman' As the Lights fade, we lrcar again tlw rhytlanic bump' bump' pause "' bump,bury, Pause .-. Black-ottt Cunrmt 6 ale Woman in Black Kipps "Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes ..." Actor oh yes, ofcourse. (A beat)youthen, for thepurpose o...
Kipps Is there anything the matter? You look unwell' Pause Actor (ct length) I did not see a young woman' As the Lights fade, we lrcar again tlw rhytlanic bump' bump' pause "' bump,bury, Pause .-. Black-ottt Cunrmt 6 ale Woman in Black Kipps "Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes ..." Actor oh yes, ofcourse. (A beat)youthen, for thepurpose o...
Kipps Is there anything the matter? You look unwell' Pause Actor (ct length) I did not see a young woman' As the Lights fade, we lrcar again tlw rhytlanic bump' bump' pause "' bump,bury, Pause .-. Black-ottt Cunrmt 6 ale Woman in Black Kipps "Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes ..." Actor oh yes, ofcourse. (A beat)youthen, for thepurpose o...
Kipps Is there anything the matter? You look unwell' Pause Actor (ct length) I did not see a young woman' As the Lights fade, we lrcar again tlw rhytlanic bump' bump' pause "' bump,bury, Pause .-. Black-ottt Cunrmt 6 ale Woman in Black Kipps "Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes ..." Actor oh yes, ofcourse. (A beat)youthen, for thepurpose o...
Kipps Is there anything the matter? You look unwell' Pause Actor (ct length) I did not see a young woman' As the Lights fade, we lrcar again tlw rhytlanic bump' bump' pause "' bump,bury, Pause .-. Black-ottt Cunrmt 6 ale Woman in Black Kipps "Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes ..." Actor oh yes, ofcourse. (A beat)youthen, for thepurpose o...
Kipps Is there anything the matter? You look unwell' Pause Actor (ct length) I did not see a young woman' As the Lights fade, we lrcar again tlw rhytlanic bump' bump' pause "' bump,bury, Pause .-. Black-ottt Cunrmt 6 ale Woman in Black Kipps "Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes ..." Actor oh yes, ofcourse. (A beat)youthen, for thepurpose o...
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The Woman in Black is a 1987 stage play, adapted by Stephen Mallatratt. The play is based on the 1983 book of the same name by English author Susan Hill. The play was produced by PW Productions, led by Peter Wilson. It is notable for only having three actors perform the whole play.
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Jun 18, 2007 · Everything about this lady was black, from her shoes of suède to the hat that she had discarded; lusterless black covered her to her bare throat. All she wore was fine and well put on.
Read, review and discuss the entire The Woman in Black movie script by Nigel Kneale on Scripts.com.
