Nanaimo Theatre Group Presents Eery Festival Entry Show When asked, “Why would people come out to a live performance of The Woman in Black if they’ve already seen the movie or read the book?”, directors Laura Buechler and Shannon Reimer had a quick response. “From our first read-through, we were fascinated with the eerie atmosphere of this show, especially in how the story comes to life almost in spite of the characters’ efforts. We were also excited about the particular power of live theatre when it comes to creating a terrifying experience: you can’t pause the action or put down the book; you are fully immersed in this immediate moment.” As for choosing this particular show, it turns out it was a bit of a journey. Laura and Shannon have been friends for over 10 years and wanted to direct a show together. They gathered together some close friends and scripts and read and reviewed a number of possibilities. After they read this script, they knew they had something to work on together. What jumped out at them was the note in the opening of the script that states: “the intent of the show is to frighten, so if it doesn’t, it’s nothing. The fear is not on a visual or visceral level, but in an imaginative one”. They were very excited by this dramatic challenge. Visually, the set is very minimalistic. The spooky atmosphere is created with lighting and the soundscape. So far, their most rewarding experience has been working with their incredible cast and watching them bring this script to life as the actors pour their hearts into developing the characters in a collaborative environment. Having been successfully staged by both professional and amateur theatre groups all over the world for nearly forty years, The Woman in Black has garnered a loyal following and continues to attract new audiences. Its longevity speaks to its ability to captivate and thrill audiences of all ages. The Woman in Black will be presented at the Bailey Studio on Rosstown Road in Nanaimo opening Wednesday, April 23 and continuing to Sunday, May 11. Evening performances will be at 7:30pm and Sunday matinees will be at 2:00pm. Tickets are available from the Nanaimo Theatre Group’s website www.nanaimotheatregroup.ca or by calling 250-758-7224. If you enjoy a spine-chilling, suspenseful experience that keeps you on the edge of your seat, you won’t want to miss this show!