SPINE-TINGLER: Actors David Acton and Ben Porter star in “The Woman in Black,” coming to McCarter Theatre Center October 13-29. The London production of the thriller by Stephen Mallatratt is among the longest-running plays in London. (Photo by Jenny Anderson)

The original London production of Susan Hill’s The Woman in Black, adapted by Stephen Mallatratt and directed by Robin Herford, begins performances October 13 at McCarter Theatre Center and runs through October 29.

Based on Susan Hill’s 1983 classic horror novel, The Woman in Black grew to global acclaim and terrified thrill-seeking audiences for 33 years on the West End, becoming one of the longest-running plays in London and inspiring a film franchise starring Daniel Radcliffe.

“It’s unusual for a live theater experience to make an audience actually scream,” said Executive Director Martin Miller. “I’ve seen The Women in Black on London’s West End, where it ran for more than three decades as a sell-out, smash hit. Trust me, the audience screamed. It’s exactly the caliber of production that McCarter audiences have come to expect, with high-octane thrills and entertainment value. Perfect for a spooky October night.”

In this production, audiences will be transported back in time as an old man recounts the eerie events of his youth. Journeying into the misty English countryside, he grapples with settling the estate of a family entrenched in a tragic history that continues to haunt (quite literally) anyone who dares come too close.

“We are thrilled to present The Woman in Black at McCarter straight from London’s West End. It’s a must-see for anyone who enjoys the spine-tingling sensation of being on the edge of their seat,” said McCarter Artistic Director Sarah Rasmussen.

With a combined total of more than 1,000 previous performances of The Woman in Black in London, New York City, and beyond, the cast includes Antony Eden (The Actor), Ben Porter (Arthur Kipps/The Actor), and David Acton (Arthur Kipps).

Playwright Mallatratt wrote his early plays while working as an actor in Alan Ayckbourn’s Scarborough company. Several of these were produced and directed by Ayckbourn at Scarborough, and commissions from other theates followed. In addition to original plays, he wrote adaptations of books for both TV and theater including Henry James’ The Turn of the Screw and Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca. His television work included The Innocents for YTV, and he adapted the Forsyte Saga for Granada. The Woman in Black ran for 33 years at the Fortune Theatre in the West End, and over a decade at the Rafael Solaria theatre in Mexico. It has been translated into at least 12 languages and performed at the last count in 41 countries.

Tickets start at $25 and are now on sale at mccarter.org or call (609) 258-2787. Groups of 10 to 20 save 10 percent and groups of 21 or more save 15 percent off tickets (zone restrictions apply.) Princeton University Students can access free tickets with Passport to the Arts using code PUTIGER. More information is on PU Student Tix for events at McCarter: McCarter.org/TigerTix. College students can access $25 tickets in advance with code STUTIX. Tickets can be picked up prior to the performance with a valid student ID. Visit Mccarter.org for further information.