West End's The Woman in Black to Close After 33 Years

After running in London's West End for 33 years, the horror play The Woman in Black will play its final performance on March 4, 2023.

The closing, according to producer Peter Wilson, is attributed to rising production costs and declining audiences. Inspired by Susan Hill's novel, The Woman in Black opened during the 1987 Christmas season at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough, before opening at the Lyric Hammersmith in January 1989. It's West End journey began that March at the Strand (now Novello) Theatre, before moving to the Playhouse in April, and finally the Fortune on June 7, 1989, where it has run ever since.

Adapted for the stage by Stephen Mallatratt, The Woman in Black is directed by Robin Herford, with sets and costumes by Michael Holt and lighting by Kevin Sleep. It currently stars Julian Forsyth and Matthew Spencer.

The Woman in Black has played over 13,000 performances in the West End and has been seen by over 7 million people in the UK alone. It has netted investors more than £8,000,000 over the years at the Fortune.