STAG’s upcoming production stars Greg Wighton as Arthur Kipps and Connor McDonald as The Actor.
Forget Casper, let STAG immerse you in a real ghost story.
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In its 50th anniversary season, the Shepparton Theatre Arts Group proudly presents The Woman in Black, a Gothic thriller of suspense and storytelling.
The Woman in Black tells the story of Arthur Kipps, a gentleman who enlists the help of The Actor to recount his traumatic experiences, hoping to purge himself of the vivid nightmares that continue to haunt him.
In the play within a play, Kipps embodies various characters he has encountered.
Who could possibly take on the role of such a scintillating chameleon?
Enter Greg Wighton.
Known for his standout performances in The Physicists, Little Shop of Horrors and The Vicar of Dibley, Mr Wighton plays about seven different characters, each with distinctive accents, gliding seamlessly between them.
Joining him on the STAG stage after a seven-year hiatus is Connor McDonald as The Actor.
Audiences will remember Mr McDonald as Fiyero in Wicked and as Steve “Willie” Williams in Dookie the Musical.
But The Actor may be his most nimble, endearing performance yet.
“Greg and Connor have immersed themselves in their characters,” co-director Nicky Pummeroy said.
“And they change from the very serious to the light-hearted comedy at the drop of a hat — people are just going to be amazed at them.”
Although The Woman in Black is a two-hander, there are additional characters not listed in the cast.
Taking advantage of the intimate theatre, the lighting and sound are characters in their own right, regularly plunging the audience into darkness.
Are Kipps and The Actor in the audience?
Do you see the woman in black?
Don’t you see the woman in black?
The production will have audiences whipping their heads to every sound and movement, spines tingling and senses heightened.
“We want to scare the pants off people just a little bit ... but there are some comedic elements in it as well,” co-director Bron Prater said.
“The way that we’re doing it, yes, we want to make it atmospheric, but that’s to add to the enjoyment.
“We want people to walk out of the theatre and go, wow, that was an experience.”
The Woman in Black will run from July 4 to 12.
However, this performance has been a long time coming — 11 years, to be exact.
STAG had longed for the rights to become available, and when they did, the co-directors said they “couldn’t let it go past”.
“We’re very excited to bring it to Shepp,” Ms Prater said.
“What STAG does best is storytelling at its purest, and The Woman in Black is just a phenomenal story.”
Audiences can also look forward to STAG’s continued celebrations of its 50-year legacy, including a Christmas in July cabaret and the razzle-dazzle of Chicago in September.
“That’s what we aimed for our 50th year, something for everybody,” Ms Prater said.
The Woman in Black haunts the Bakehouse Black Box Theatre at 17 Wheeler St, Shepparton, from July 4 to 12.
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