TO celebrate the release of film The Woman In Black: Angel Of Death on January 1, starring Phoebe Fox, Jeremy Irvine and Helen McCrory, What's On is offering a lucky reader the chance to win a pair of tickets to the stage show of The Woman In Black when it plays Darlington Civic Theatre in January.

The winner will also receive a copy of the hit DVD version of the feature film starring Daniel Radcliffe and the best-selling novel by Susan Hill.

Angel Of Death is played out 40 years after the terrifying events at Eel Marsh House, the building which now stands rotting and dilapidated, outside the deserted village of Crythin Gifford.

As the Second World War tears the nation apart, and bombs reign down on London, a group of eight children, led by young school teacher Eve (Phoebe Fox) and hardened headmistress Jean Hogg (Helen McCrory), are evacuated to the abandoned house. Fearful, yet determined, Eve tries to maintain a brave face for the children but after a series of disturbing events she begins to suspect that they may not be alone. With the aid of Harry (Jeremy Irvine), an RAF pilot stationed nearby, Eve tries to uncover the dark secrets of the house but their presence soon stirs a malevolent force. As children once more play in the grounds, out of the darkness comes the vengeful spirit, The Woman In Black.

This haunting tale, directed by Tom Harper (The Scouting Book for Boys, War Book), will appear in cinemas on New Year's Day.

Darlington Civic Theatre welcomes the stage version of Women In Black for the week of Monday, January 19 to Saturday, January 24.

Stephen Mallatratt’s stage adaptation continues to be directed by Robin Herford, who has overseen every production, from Scarborough in 1987 to the West End and Japan. For the latest tour of the noir-style two-hander MalcolmJames will play solicitor Arthur Kipps, a man haunted by events 30 years earlier, who must re-enact them with The Actor, played by Matt Connor.

James and Connor have never worked together previously.

“In fact we met for the first time at the stage door for the first day of rehearsals, having auditioned separately, but Robin seemed to pick up that we would work well together,” says James.

"Every audience is different; some scream louder than others, so you never know what to expect. I shall enjoy us traumatising people in the weeks ahead. They love going home having been scared, which is why there’s a tradition of ghost stories on stage, like the old Victorian melodramas.”

  •  Tickets for the new Darlington winter/spring season are on sale now. Box Office: 01325-486-555, or visit darlingtoncivic.co.uk to choose your own seats online
  •  For a chance to win two tickets for Woman In Black at Darlington Civic Theatre send your name, address and phone number to studio.entone@dmsukltd.com (marking the subject field Woman In Black competition)