Two of Japan’s leading actors will take to the stage at the Fortune this autumn to present the Japanese-language version of The Woman In Black.
The West End production of Susan Hill’s ghostly thriller celebrates its 20th birthday next year. As part of those anniversary celebrations, and to commemorate 150 years since the start of diplomatic relations between the UK and Japan, the London show has invited Japanese theatre producers PARCO to bring the Japanese-language version to the Fortune for five performances only from 9-13 September.
The performances star acclaimed Japanese actors Takaya Kamikaya and Haruhito Saito, who have both frequently appeared on stage, television and the big screen in their native country. Saito has been involved with the Tokyo production of The Woman In Black since it first opened in 1992.
The Woman In Black opened at the Strand (now Novello) in February 1989, moving to the Playhouse in April and finally settling in the Fortune in June 1989, where it has remained ever since. Adapted by Stephen Mallatratt from Hill’s novel, it tells the story of a keen young solicitor who is sent to wind up the affairs of a recently deceased woman and begins to piece together the details of her strange reclusive life alone in a remote and mysterious house. Years later, he recounts his experiences, desperate to exorcise the ghosts of the past.
The production currently stars Sean Baker and Ben Porter. em>CB