Women in Black
This was our visit to the Fortune Theatre on the Tuesday evening. Having arrived too early we went to inspect a local hostelry just around the corner from the theatre. On our return queues were forming with loads of school age children,
The play wasn't as I expected , there were only 2 actors who did their costume changes on stage and with a light screen behind you see stage props behind it. The start was quite slow and personally I found quite tedious. The only other cast member was the Lady in Black who appeared on several occasions . I would seem that the script didn't follow the story as I had expected although the ending was probably as expected. The biggest problem really was the amount of screaming from the children in the audience, who seem to give vent to their voices at every occasion, the bar was apparently expensive and the toilets were made for stick insects being the smallest I have ever visited.!
The actors took their parts very well and seeing that they weren't using microphones projected their voices well into the auditorium . They took several parts each in the play and overall it was a good performance from them. However I don't think I would want to see the play again. I see on the ticket that they is a restoration charge included in the ticket prices which looking at the theatre is very necessary.
If you look at the trailer for the stage play and the film, you can see that the scope for film is so much more and that perhaps I might have let out a scream or two if I had been watching that. and it is rally unfair to try and compare them, but I would have liked a bigger cast.
I think after all these years the show is probably self promoting to some extent as it is the 2nd longest running play after the Mousetrap. That said ticket sales will promote along with all other shows available in the West End
Fortune Theatre seating plan
The Fortune Theatre has a capacity of 419 seats, including 189 seats in the Stalls, 106 seats in the Dress Circle and 124 seats in the Upper Circle. Use our interactive seating plan to view 578 seat reviews and 231 photos of views from seat.
Venue overview
The Fortune Theatre was the first theatre to be built in London after World War I, and is situated close to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. This intimate theatre has been host to spooky thriller The Woman in Black since 1989, which is the West End’s second longest running play after The Mousetrap. The Fortune is said to be haunted, with actors commenting on ghostly spirits.
With a seating capacity of 432, the theatre is one of the smallest in the West End. Split across three sections and with a particularly high stage, views are mixed throughout the auditorium. There is no rake in the Stalls section, which can feel quite cramped.
The inside of the theatre wasn't as large as I expected it to be and not in particuary good condition..We were on the RHS of the theatre facing the stage as opposed to the main stalls, but this had no noticeable affect on how you could view the play. I was surprised at how many children were there and at the break whilst waiting for the toilets I chatted with the lady behind me who said that this was her 2nd visit . She was a teacher and had brought her students who seemed to be enjoying themselves .
Stalls guide
The Stalls are divided into two blocks of seating by an off-centre aisle, creating a larger and smaller section. The Stalls are narrow and shallow, with under 200 seats. Support pillars located at the ends of some aisles do not cause obstructions, but can cause seats either side to feel very tight and uncomfortable.
There is barely a rake in this section, which means that other audience members may obstruct the view. Aisle seats are best for those looking for more legroom. The rear of the Stalls is affected by the Dress Circle overhang, and the height of the stage can also cause a problem.
Bars
The Stalls bar is level with the seating section, 21 steps down from the foyer.
Toilets
Men’s and Women’s toilets are located 21 steps down from the foyer in the Stalls section.
Location
Located between Covent Garden and Aldwych, the Fortune Theatre’s central location is unbeatable in terms of amenities; shopping, museums and other performance venues are a stone’s throw away. Covent Garden and The Strand are within 5 minutes of the theatre. As the theatre is amidst the bustle of Theatreland, check www.tfl.gov.uk before travelling for disruptions to your journey.
Rail
The Fortune Theatre is approximately an 18-20 minute walk from Charing Cross Station. Exit the station via the main entrance, then turn right and walk along The Strand for about 12 minutes. As you near Aldwych, turn left at the Wellington Pub, walking up the pedestrianized walkway to the end of Wellington Street. You will pass the Lyceum Theatre. Stay on Wellington Street until you reach Russell Street. Covent Garden will be on your left, but turn right so you are walking away from it. The Fortune Theatre will be on your left at the corner of Crown Court.
Tube
Covent Garden tube station is about 5 minutes from the Fortune Theatre, served by the Piccadilly line. When leaving Covent Garden station, turn right and walk along Long Acre. At the next junction, turn right onto Bow Street. As you walk down Bow Street, the back of the Royal Opera House will be on your right. When you reach Russell Street, turn left. The theatre will be on the next corner on the left.
Leicester Square tube station is 10-15 minutes away, which gives access to the Northern and Piccadilly lines. Holborn is a similar distance, serving the Piccadilly and Central lines.
Bus
The nearest bus stops are on Aldwych, with routes: 4, 6, 9, 11, 15, 23, 26, 76, 87, 172, 243, 341 and RV1.
Further away, lower Charing Cross Road is served by: 24, 29 and 176.
Car
The Fortune Theatre is part of the Q-Park Theatreland scheme, which provides West End audiences with discounts on their parking fees if they get their ticket validated at the box office. The Chinatown and Trafalgar Square car parks are the closest to the Fortune Theatre, costing £22.00 for 3 hours, and 4 hours are £29.50.
Taxis and drivers are permitted to drop off patrons outside the Fortune Theatre on Russell Street. The theatre is in London’s Congestion Park Zone, which costs of £11.50 between 7am and 6pm. Travel outside of these times is free of charge.
FORTUNE THEATRE
One of Covent Garden’s smallest theatres, the Fortune is a tight, atmospheric arena that has, since 1989, played host to a suitably atmospheric production - the gripping Gothic tension of The Woman in Black.
Built in 1924, the Fortune has seen many a major name up in lights, including Dame Judi Dench, Dirk Bogarde and - in the ground-breaking Covent Garden run of the satirical revue Beyond The Fringe - Alan Bennett, Peter Cook, Dudley Moore and Jonathan Miller.
The venue was originally known as the Fortune Thriller Theatre - the thrills have continued long after the simplification of its name.
Discover more Covent Garden Opera & Theatre.
CURRENT PRODUCTION: THE WOMAN IN BLACK
London theatre’s favourite ghost story, The Woman In Black centres on a keen young solicitor who is sent to wind up the affairs of a recently deceased woman, Mrs Alice Drablow.
Alone in the eerie, isolated Eel Marsh House, he is unaware of the tragedy lurking in the house’s dark corners, he only feels an unnerving sense of unease. When he catches a glimpse of a wasted young woman dressed completely in black, Kipps tries to discover more about her, but the locals turn silent and he must unearth her secret on his own. Years later, he recounts his experiences, desperate to exorcise the ghosts of the past.
An eerie thriller, The Woman In Black is based on Susan Hill's 1983 novel, adapted by Stephen Mallatratt but using much of Hill’s own description and dialogue. It features just two main cast members and minimal props to conjure its sense of rising fear and impending doom.
The stage adaptation of The Woman In Black was first presented at Scarborough’s Theatre-By-The-Sea in 1987, and proved such a success that it transferred to London’s Fortune Theatre two years later. It has been playing at the same venue ever since, making it one of London's longest running plays.
In a case of life imitating art, The Woman In Black and the Fortune Theatre are said to have their very own ghost. Following a break-in at the theatre, a grey lady, thought to be a spirit protecting the venue, was seen in the lower boxes.
087 0060 6626
RUSSELL STREET
COVENT GARDEN
LONDON
WC2B 5HH
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Exterior and Interior Views of the Theatre
Reactions to the play were mixed some liked it whislt others didn't
The Woman In Black - Fortune Theatre
The Woman In Black follows a man trying to tell his tale, with a horror twist..
The venue, the Fortune Theatre, is a cosy, 419 seater located in Holborn, just east of Covent gardens. When I visited, I found the seats to be rather comfortable and spacious and the view spectacular. I was seated in seat G1 in the stalls, where, for a fairly cheap price (£21.50) provided a perfect view.
As for the show, I would recommend 100 times over and 1000 times again. It’s a prime example of how you neither need a large cast, or amount of props to create an immersive and inclusive experience. For theatre groups, this is the perfect show to go and watch, as it feature a cast of only 3 people throughout the entire show, and interesting ways to use props which many would not think of. The show has managed to achieve the impossible. It’s has brought a horror to life, and performed it around you. With a combination of loud noises, blackouts and characters randomly appearing in the audience, this show really does create a mood like no other.
If you are travelling through London, or just fancy a cheap but well done show, The Woman In Black is the show for you.
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Date of experience: November 2019Trip type: Travelled solo
I visited the Fortune Theatre, London with my family to see this adaption of the book with an open mind, previous reviews. We were very impressed with this stage production. There are two actors narrating a story, a play within a play, using the minimum of stage props. The play requires you to imagine the scenes and therefore your own fears and uneasiness are formed.
The audience creates the atmosphere and responds accordingly. There are some unnerving parts as well as amusing. It would be fair to say that if anyone views the play expecting to be entertained visually, then this is not for them. Go and watch a musical or something. This is an unusual adaption of a book/film that requires the viewer to use their imagination.
As a family, we loved the play and found it outstanding. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
Date of experience: February 2020
wanted to see this on Saturday and I really don't know why I paid 40 GBP for Stalls...
The play is based on two actors, who are great and very professional, but the whole thing is directed very badly.
The story needs more cast !
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Date of experience: February 2020
Awful, just read all the negative reviews and agree with them all. This puts real shame into the book and movie unfortunately. Wouldn't bother wasting your time and money.
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Date of experience: February 2020
There were only two actors and no scenery aside fom a large basket and a rocking horse. so it was staged for pretty much nothing and it showed.
The two actors, one was so quiet and garbled you couldn't hear him, the other was loud and camp and overacting.
There was very little plot and the woman in black appeared in silhouette at ramdom moments.
It wasnt scary except for some sudden bumps and inexplicable chilled screams...
Very disappointing in ever way...go to see something else.
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Date of experience: December 2019