THE WICKED LADY to premiere in Birmingham this Autumn

JW Theatres will present a new stage production of The Wicked Lady at Birmingham’s Blue Orange Theatre from 28 September-10 October 2021.

This spine-chilling live theatre experience is based on real life historical characters, inspired by the gripping mystery surround the 17th century, real-life highway woman Katherine Ferrers.

Flickering from within the tree-line, a single lamp burns in one upstairs window of an otherwise long-abandoned house. The chilling disappearance of a young child is what leads to Alice Beaumont being thrown into this isolated place, shrouded in secrecy and troubled by rumours of a ghostly past. Does the house itself hold the secret or has Alice unlocked something even more unsettling?

The crying winds of this terrifying ghost story become even more haunting when Alice finds herself trapped in the undeniable feeling that although she is far away from anyone else, she is almost certainly never alone.

A fearless cast of two will plunge the audience into The Wicked Lady’s nightmarish world of darkness and mystery from the moment they enter The Blue Orange Theatre’s intimate auditorium.

The Wicked Lady forms part of a 10th Anniversary season of the 2011 opening of the 100-seat Jewellery Quarter venue – a milestone and celebration that is made all the more significant following the theatre’s temporary closure during the pandemic.

Artistic Director of JW Theatres and The Blue Orange Theatre, James Williams, said: “Growing up in Hertfordshire, I remember hearing this story so often. I'm fascinated by the proven links to history - Katherine Ferrers was a real person with a verifiable existence; a member of aristocracy with a very dark secret. I find it chilling to hear stories of ghostly sightings and the inexplicable sound of horse’s hooves near to her haunts at night. That personal connection is what fired me up to think about creating this theatrical experience. This ghost story has all of the ingredients - the isolated house, the hidden secrets and the intrigue about ghosts and the afterlife."

"This is a brand new production which encapsulates everything we love about horror mazes and scare fests. Audiences often tell us about wanting to feel like they are part of the action and this story reaches out from the stage to give audiences thrills they'll remember! I'm delighted to be creating this world première, opening later this year in Birmingham. Join us, if you dare!"

The Wicked Lady is written and directed by Williams, with set and lighting design by Alex Johnson. Further creatives and casting to be announced.

Tickets are available to book now online here.