Lauded as “one of the best horror stories you will ever see on the stage”, ‘The Woman in Black’ is based on Susan Hill’s highly regarded 1983 novel of the same name.
In 1989, ITV produced a made-for-television film adaptation of the novel. Directed by Herbert Wise, the film earned four BAFTA awards: Best Design, Best Film Sound, Best Make-Up and Best Original Television Music.
In 1993, BBC Radio 5 aired a special 4-part adaptation, directed by Chris Wallis. BBC Radio 4 subsequently broadcasted their own version written by Mike Walker and directed by John Taylor.
Previously recognized for his work on ‘Island At War’, ‘Coronation Street’ and ‘Forsyte Saga,’ Stephen Mallatratt penned his magnum opus, the stage adaptation of ‘The Woman in Black,’ in 1987. The play premiered in the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, North Yorkshire that same year.
‘The Woman in Black’ moved to London in 1989, and has since become the second longest-running play on the West End.
‘The Woman in Black’ has originated many adaptations in other media, the most recent of which being a second feature film early this year. This top-grossing film, directed by James Watkins, stars Daniel Radcliffe as Arthur Kipps.
Dulaang Kalay (DK), the first student organization in South East Asia to stage this West End classic, produced and presented an advanced engagement under the direction of William Elvin Manzano last August 31st.
Due to numerous requests to restage the play, noted actors Jeremy Domingo and Reb Atadero shall reprise the roles of older Arthur Kipps and the young theater actor, respectively.
Jeremy Domingo is a 2011 BroadwayWorld.com Philippines award-winner (Best Featured Actor) for Tanghalang Pilipino’s ‘American Hwangap’, having appeared in over 85 theater productions since 1990. For Repertory Philippines, he was seen in ‘A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino’; ‘Little Shop of Horrors’; ‘Dracula’; ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’; ‘Much Ado About Nothing’; ‘It Had To Be You’; ‘Our Town’; ‘The Mystery of Irma Vep’ and many more. Other credits include Hamlet in ‘Hamlet Redux’ (Dulaang UP); The King of Siam in ‘The King and I’ (Centerstage); Herr Zeller in ‘The Sound of Music’ (Resorts World Manila) and most recently, Trigorin in ‘The Seagull’ (Dulaang UP).
In other media, he has appeared in numerous local TV series and commercials, and presented for Disney Channel’s Playhouse Disney-Asia from 2002 to 2006. A Creative Guild awardee, Jeremy has been Studio 23’s signature announcer since 1999.
Jeremy co-founded Word of Mouth Theater Philippines (WOM) in 2006, which produced Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth Unplugged’; a staged reading of Steve Martin’s ‘Picasso at the Lapin Agile’; and the original musicals ‘The Aqua Barkada’ (for RCBC); ‘Maiden of the Sea’ (for Manila Ocean Park) and ‘Flight of a Falcon’ (for Adamson University). ‘The Woman in Black’ is WOM’s first co-production with DK.
Reb Atadero, who has six years of theater experience, is a name synonymous with musical productions. Last seen in Ateneo blueREPERTORY’s ‘13: The Musical’, ‘Bare’, ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ as well as Dulaang UP’s ‘Rizal X’, Reb can also be found doing other things inside and outside of the theater world as a musical director, kindergarten teacher, workshop instructor, training facilitator and host. His other theater credits are: as performer, Repertory Philippines’ ‘Altar Boyz’, and Ateneo blueREPERTORY’s ‘Zanna, Don’t!’, ‘High School Musical’ (Asian Stage Premiere), and ‘Summer of ’42’; as musical director, Repertory Philippines’ ‘All Shook Up’, ‘Rock and Rule’, ‘Stages of Love’ (2009, 2011), and ‘13: The Musical’ ( as musical director).
William Manzano started his theatre career in 2005 as a chorus member in Dulaang UP’s ‘St. Louis Loves Dem Filipinos’. Since then, he has appeared as an actor in numerous productions in and out of the University of the Philippines. In 2011, William established himself as a songwriter for the theatre, beginning with a Filipino musical adaptation of ‘Cyrano de Bergerac‘ for UP’s Dulaang Laboratoryo . In July of the same year, he wrote music and lyrics for Dulaang UP’s ‘Rizal X’. He started 2012 writing the music for WOM’s ‘Flight of a Falcon’, a musical to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Adamson University. He also directs plays for DK.
Janine Santos is a graduate of the UP College of Music, major in voice. She was part of several opera productions of the UP College of Music, as well as Dulaang UP’s ‘Atang: Dulang may Musika’, ‘Isang Panaginip na Fili’ and ‘Noli: The Opera’. She is also a member of the Philippine Opera Company for ‘Ang Bagong Harana,’ and of the Philippine Drama Company, under the direction of Naty Crame-Rogers. She was the Musical Director of Dulaang UP’s ‘Rizal X’ and played the part of Helena in DK’s first production, ‘Series Finale: Saan Hahantong ang Tagpong Ito?’.
The artistic staff of ‘The Woman in Black’ include William E. Manzano (Direction); Janine Santos (Original Music); Meliton Roxas, Jr. (Lighting Design); Alden Acosta (Sound Design); Manu Respall (Production Design); Nissi Gatan (Set Design); Lorena Balina (Property Design); Niña Bedruz (Technical Direction) and Cha Quebral (Deputy Technical Direction).
The production staff is composed of Gabe Ongkiko (Production Manager); Nicole Nequinto (Deputy Production Manager); Raquel Pascua (Head Stage Manager); Chai Von Possel (Promotions Manager); Toots Tolentino (PR Consultant); Ted Guayco (Public Relations Manager); Niqi Granados (Front of House Manager) and Karina Gaite, Karlo Gaite, and Tim Villa-Real (Stage Hands).
Catch this famous ghost play in a unique way that transcends the classes of conventional dramatic horror. ‘The Woman in Black’ is bound to intensify the fear that resides within every spectator and raise it to a point of little recovery.
If you dare to see this play, contact Ted Guayco (0935 133 2893) for booking inquiries. Visit us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/DKTheWomanInBlack) for further details. ‘The Woman in Black’ is presented in partnership with Sybex Animal Health & Nutrition, and Global Nutrition International. Dulaang Kalay and Word of Mouth Theater Philippines’ ‘The Woman in Black’ is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Ltd., under Amateur License 131661.
