Toowoomba’s Empire Theatre to host premiere of The Woman in Black national tour

Legendary Australian actors John Waters and Daniel MacPherson will light up the Empire Theatre’s main stage this weekend for the premiere of The Woman in Black. Here’s why Toowoomba was chosen:

The Woman in Black cast members John Waters (left) and Daniel MacPherson as the second longest running play in West End history premieres at The Empire Theatre before touring nationally, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The Toowoomba premiere of the Woman in Black is not just the launch of the acclaimed ghost play’s massive national tour — it also offers a look at a bold new direction for the Empire Theatre.

Legendary Australian actors John Waters and Daniel MacPherson will light up the theatre’s main stage on Saturday for the first two Australian performances of the UK’s second-longest running play.

The Woman in Black cast members John Waters (left) and Daniel MacPherson as the second longest running play in West End history premieres at The Empire Theatre before touring nationally, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The ghostly tale, which tells the story of a lawyer who believes he and his family have been cursed by a spectre, sees the pair embody nine characters with minimal props but plenty of lighting and sound effects.

Speaking on a fully-dressed stage featuring gothic setpieces, Waters said he was expecting a visceral reaction from audiences.

“One of the things you enjoy most from being on stage is the communication with an audience and the palpable reactions you get from audiences,” he said.

“You might get some performances where they are enjoying it but they stay quiet.

“With this one, you can hear them, feel them and sense them.”

A TV and film actor, MacPherson said he had been charmed during his first trip to Toowoomba and hoped residents were thrilled.

“The Empire Theatre is absolutely stunning so for us to spend a week here refining this show has been great,” he said.

“John plays seven characters, I’m playing two and (although) it is touted as one of the scariest ghost stories ever told, it has also got a lot of empathy, a great heart and a bit of comedy.

“It’s going to be a surprise as well as scaring the living daylights out of people.”

British director Antony Eden, who is supporting the Australian production with its initial performances, said the week-long technical preparation at the Empire ahead of the tour had been invaluable.

“(The story is) about putting on a play and all good theatre is really a gymnasium for empathy and this show is dripping with it,” he said.

“John and Dan are both such fantastic performers and fit their respective roles so well, and have created something between them that is so special.

“The theatre here is absolutely gorgeous and fits the show perfectly.”

The Empire Theatre's general manager Giuliana Bonel talks to media as The Woman in Black, the second longest running play in West End history, premieres at The Empire Theatre before touring nationally, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The production has been a major pick-up for the Empire’s new general manager Giuliana Bonel, who said she wanted to bring new and different performances to the main stage and its neighbouring venues in the precinct.

“That (the Empire) can draw something of this quality to Toowoomba, (it) means a lot, not just for the team here at the Empire but our regional audiences as well,” she said.

“We have the ability and space and time to do that, so we wanted to be able to premiere that here before it went on its national tour.

“I hope to bring more and more experiences just like this to Toowoomba, through fantastic collaborations and connections.”

Tickets are selling fast for both the matinee and evening performances on Saturday.

For more information, head to the Empire Theatre website.