JW Theatres Ltd presents The Wicked Lady which is having its World Première at the Blue Orange Theatre in Birmingham. With it being described as a spine-chilling theatrical experience, this new production promises to bring the eerie atmosphere and frights to the Birmingham stage.

I love a good ghost story and I especially love to see one come to life on stage. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a new production which delves into the world of the supernatural. With the spooky month upon us, I couldn’t wait to be thrown into the fear and mystery of The Wicked Lady.

The show is based on the real life of highway woman Katherine Ferrers. The story is set in present day with the chilling disappearance of a young child which is what leads Alice Beaumont to visit the infamous isolated house, shrouded in secrecy and troubled by rumours of a ghostly past.

The Wicked Lady is written and directed by Artistic Director of JW Theatres and The Blue Orange Theatre, James Williams, with set and lighting design by Alex Johnson. This was my first visit to the Blue Orange Theatre, and definitely not my last, with it’s off-Broadway charm and charisma, to Birmingham – this is a real gem. I stepped one foot into the theatre and the atmosphere was immediate. With the carefully produced sound design by Dan Clarkson, original compositions by Tomas Wolstenholme, I was already in the grips of The Wicked Lady before I took my seat in the theatre. As I sipped my drink in the bar, I could hear crows and whispers already playing through the sound systems across the theatre which gave me an insight of what was yet to come.

I think the success of a ghost story on stage primarily depends on the Creative Team behind it and this production clearly has a talented Creative Team. With an already impressive sound design and set design by Alex Johnson (Set & Lighting Design), we are transported into the haunted isolated manor that is Markyate Cell. From flickering lights above the audience, eerie blackouts to the attention to detail amongst the props and set made us feel fully immersed in the production.

The cast of this production is down to two, Nicki Davy as Alice Beaumont and Saul Bache as Sean Fenton. The pair were believable and charismatic as they portrayed these interesting characters, giving authentic and intense performances to heighten the tension of this story.

This production had myself and the audience gripped (from start to finish) as we awaited frights and scares throughout. I wouldn’t want to spoil these moments for any potential future audiences but there are plenty that made me jump out my seat!

I have waited a long time to see a fresh new scary production on stage and this did not disappoint. Easily one of my favourite terrifying trips to the theatre! Watch this – if you dare.

DT

We say: “I have waited a long time to see a fresh new scary production on stage and this did not disappoint. Easily one of my favourite terrifying trips to the theatre!”