It's only a ghost story. You keep telling yourself that as you leave the theatre.

Even the most reluctant subscribers to the supernatural will share the audience’s screams as they witness Arthur Kipps reliving his horrifying encounters with The Woman in Black.

The method by which the harrowing tale is told in Stephen Mallatratt's production initially tricks the audience into thinking they will be immune to any fear felt by the protagonist. Mr Kipps (Malcolm James), with the assistance of an enthusiastic young actor (Matt Connor), intends to reenact his experience for the stage.

But rather than watch the scenes unfold with indifference at the rehearsal, the audience cannot help but live each terrifying moment brought to life by the two men.

As they recreate Mr Kipps’ visit to the derelict Eel Marsh House, haunted by a vengeful young woman, the simplest suggestions of a ghostly presence provoke fear in the audience: an empty rocking chair moving back and forth or a music box playing by itself.

It is this simplicity, along with the very human presence of pain and loss in both Mr Kipps and The Woman in Black herself, that ensure you fall for the ghost story - and make it harder to return to ‘the real world’ once the theatre lights have come up.