Submitted photo

Jim Hayes (left) and Michael Stapleton open “The Woman in Black” at Portsmouth Little Theater this weekend. The show runs Oct. 26-27, and Nov. 2-3 at 7:30 pm.

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Ryan Scott Ottney

PDT Staff Writer

Just in time for Halloween, the Portsmouth Little Theater will begin a production of “The Woman in Black” this weekend.

The play is based on the 1983 horror novel, “The Woman in Black,” by Susan Hill. The story debuted on stage in London in 1987 by playwright Steven Mallatrat, and was developed as a major motion picture starring Daniel Radcliffe in February 2012. The story follows Arthur Kipps, who discovers the secret of a mysterious woman in black that haunts a small town.

“It’s a great show for a small stage, but it was also a very powerful script the way it was written. This was the original script they used in London by Mallatrat,” said director Jason Chaney. “We always like to try some kind of Halloween or murder mystery or something ghoulish for Halloween, and this kind of fit right in there.”

The play stars Michael Stapleton and Jim Hayes, and the ghost of the woman in black also makes an appearance.

“The way the play is set up, it’s a play within a play. Mr. Kipps (Hayes) has come to an actor to try and tell his story. He’s always been haunted by the events of his past so he incorporates an actor (Stapleton) to try and tell his story,” Chaney said.

He said he hopes the play captures “the spirit of terror” that they wanted to show.

“It’s got some very simple, but effective special effects,” Chaney said.

“The Woman in Black” runs Oct. 26-27, and Nov. 2-3 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 for general public and $10 for students and seniors, and are available at www.pltlive.com and at the box office one hour before the show.

Ryan Scott Ottney can be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 235, or rottney@heartlandpublications.com.