The lights slowly fade into an eerie darkness.

A single candle burns on stage, lighting up the actor’s face and a vague view of his surroundings.

The suspense in the room is thick, as the audience member’s bodies tense and their eyes shut tight.

A creaking sound is heard.

Slowly, a woman dressed in a dark victorian dress makes her way through the main aisle of the theatre.

The audience jumps in terror along with the actor, who screams at the sight of the bony and spooky figure.

This is the scene at Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble’s production of “The Woman In Black”. The play, written by Susan Hill (original book) and Stephen Mallatratt (stage production script), was performed Oct. 30 through Nov. 9 at the Chapel located at 6238 Alexander Dr., St. Louis.

As I sat in the last row of the small theatre, I couldn’t help but be scared out of my whits. The three main actors (in fact, the only actors) did an incredible job of telling the spooky story and capturing it’s raw emotion.

B. Weller portrayed Mr. Kipps, the man who is trying to come to terms with his frightening encounter with the woman in black. Mr. Kipps does so by hiring The Actor (played by Jared Sanz-Agero) to perform a play based on his story.

By establishing unique characters (most changes were as simple as changing hats or accents) the two actors were able to capture their multitude of characters majestically and clearly, dismissing any confusing within the play’s intertwining plot. Weller’s and Sanz-Agero’s artist styles complemented each other very well; they both seemed confident in their own shoes and around each other, to be able to explore the depth of their characters. They also built the relationships between characters well, such as the harshness between The Actor and Mr. Kipps in the opening scene.

But the most impressive performance aspect, was the emotional level of the men during the traumatic and serious scenes. They didn’t just yell in terror; they screamed. They didn’t just tear up; they really cried. And most importantly, they didn’t just say their lines; they felt them. This commitment to the story kept the story alive and real, making it all the most terrifying for the audience members.

I cannot count how many times I shook my head in disbelief at the foolish actions of The Actor, who was voluntarily entering the room where he knew the Woman In Black was. Or how many times I held my breath during a blackout, in the hopes that it would be over soon so I could find out what’s going to happen next. Or how many times I heard someone’s chair creek and I was tempted to turn around, but was too terrified that I would come face to face with the Woman In Black.

Along with the superb acting, the creepiness of the play hit home through the lighting and sound. Even though the performance was staged in a makeshift church, the team has equipped it with a sound system and proficient lighting tools. The spooky lighting helped create the mood, especially when it dimmed down whenever the woman appeared. The sounds used in the performance, such as a clock ticking, an empty graveyard, and the important cart crashing sound, were crisp and clear. They helped the performance, rather than hindering it by breaking the reality of the world on stage.

A few times I had to turn my eyes away, as I was petrified by the woman in black as she slowly walked through and around the audience. Shelby Partridge wore a black hat and veil, but her bony face and piercingly gloomy eyes could be seen on occasion. I still cannot seem to erase them or the thought of her standing right behind me watching over my shoulder. Ms. Partridge did a fantastic job of portraying this quiet and looming character, but also had her chance in the dramatic spotlight. During one scene in act two, the Woman In Black destroys a room in the house Mr. Kipps is staying at, kicking over furniture and screaming. This was where I discovered my limit for spooks, as I almost jumped out of my seat and ran all the way home crying for my mommy.

But it’s thanks to the actors and wonderful ensemble I didn’t. They kept me wanting to know how the story was going to end, wanting to know if Kipps was going to be alright or if the woman in black would get her revenge.

The ensemble members were sweet and homely, offering hot chocolate and coffee, as well as blankets for anyone who was cold during the performance. I look forward to coming back to see other productions by this talented group.

There is a performance of “The Woman in Black” on Nov. 8th and 9th, as well as more “Season of the Monster” shows coming up later this season. Check out slightlyoff.org for more information.