TWENTY-EIGHT years after its debut, one of the most successful plays in West End history returns to Scarborough where it all began. The Woman In Black has been especially cast for the 60th anniversary year of the Stephen Joseph Theatre where the play premiered in 1987.

The production brings together the original director and designer, Robin Herford and Michael Holt, and the first father and son casting, Christopher and Tom Godwin.

“I’m honoured to bring The Woman In Black back to its roots. It’s always instructive to re-examine a piece of theatre – something I always attempt to do when rehearsing a new cast into the West End production – but to re-examine it in terms of scale, to pare it down for a small intimate venue makes that process all the more worthwhile.

“And what a cast. Christopher and Tom Godwin, the first father and son combination in the history of the play, are brimming with Scarborough connections. Tom was born and spent his early years here while Christopher was a hugely influential figure in Alan Ayckbourn’s early writing,” says director Robin Herford.

Since the world premiere of The Woman In Black at the theatre’s former Westwood home, Stephen Mallatratt’s adaptation of Susan Hill’s chilling novella has enthralled more than seven million people worldwide with its unique blend of suspense, drama and bold stagecraft.

Christopher Godwin reprises his role as Arthur Kipps 15 years after appearing at the Fortune Theatre. Christopher was a company regular with the Stephen Joseph Theatre from 1971 to 1977 when he also appeared with the late Stephen Mallatratt. Scarborough-born Tom Godwin appears opposite his father as The Actor to mark his hometown stage debut. Recent credits include Macbeth with Kenneth Branagh at New York’s Park Avenue Armory and a new film adaptation of Alice Through the Looking Glass.

The Woman In Black can be seen in the McCarthy at the Stephen Joseph Theatre. Tickets, priced from £10 to £24.50, are available from the box office on 01723 370541 or sjt.uk.com. See the website for all performance dates and times.

Director Robin Herford and original author Susan Hill will also be giving a Tea Time Talk as part of this year’s 60th anniversary celebrations on June 25 and July 16. Tickets are £6.50 and include a donation to support the Seventh Wave fund for new writing at the SJT.