The spine-chilling production of The Woman in Black creeps into the Lyceum Theatre in Crewe perfectly timed for Hallowe’en.

Unanimously acclaimed by the critics, it combines the power and intensity of live theatre with a cinematic quality, and is at the Crewe theatre all this week (October 27-November 1).

Inspired by the world of film noir, it is set to deliver an evening of unremitting drama and transport the audience into a terrifying and ghostly world.

The Woman in Black was first performed in Scarborough in 1987 to rave reviews. The production opened in the West End in 1989 where it has enjoyed continued success as well as numerous national tours. The production is now celebrating its 25th year with more than seven million people living to tell the tale of one of the most terrifying theatre events ever.

In 2012, it was released as a major motion picture, starring Harry Potter himself (Daniel Radcliffe), and became the highest grossing British horror film in 20 years.

For Stephen Mallatratt’s theatrical adaptation of Susan Hill’s best-selling novel, the production tells the story of lawyer Arthur Kipps who is obsessed with a curse he believes has been cast over him and his family by the spectre of a ‘Woman in Black’.

He engages a young actor to help him tell his story and exorcise the fear that grips his soul. It begins innocently enough, but as they reach further into his darkest memories, they find themselves caught up in a world of eerie marshes and moaning winds. The borders between make believe and reality begin to blur and the flesh begins to creep.

Malcolm James plays the role of Arthur Kipps and Matt Connor plays the role of ‘The Actor’. The pair are the only two on stage throughout the show and Malcolm kindly spoke to the Chronicle.

“It is quite a rollercoaster of a role as I have to play a number of characters as we travel through the journey of Arthur’s life. It is tiring for both myself and Matt but I relish the challenge,” he said.

Malcolm explained that it wasn’t essential for audiences to have read the book or seen the film. “In fact it will perhaps be a better experience if people haven’t.

“It has been cleverly adapted and I believe it is a celebration of theatre. It’s quite amazing how it works.

“It is quite jumpy but we have lots of schoolchildren that have seen the show who have said it was very easy to follow and have thoroughly enjoyed it.“

When Malcolm, who has over 30 years of theatre experience and numerous TV credits to his name was told about the ghostly tales surrounding Crewe’s theatre he said: “I look forward to hearing more about that.

“Because we are rehearsing and performing a production like this, things can get a bit spooky, I had quite an odd experience once when I learned about an actor I’d never previously heard of, who had met his untimely death after being murdered by another actor. I later heard something about him on the radio which was very spooky.

“Going from the sublime to the ridiculous I then had a dream about a Theatre Goat, a green eyed monster that was terrorising the theatre.”

For tickets contact the box office on 01270 368242 or visit www.crewelyceum.co.uk .