A gripping drama that transports the audience to a terrifying world will have people jumping out of their seats.

More than 7m people have seen the Woman in Black, which is coming to Richmond after celebrating its 23rd year in the West End.

The play combines theatrical effects including lighting, dry ice and atmospheric sound with a building menace that makes the audience feel much more than witnesses to the unfolding drama.

The play shows the audience inside Eel Marsh House, where junior solicitor Arthur Kipps is summoned to attend the funeral of the house’s sole inhabitant Alice Drablow.

He is unaware of the tragic secrets that lie hidden behind the shuttered windows until he glimpses a wasted young woman dressed all in black at the funeral.

Years later, as an old man, he recounts his experiences to an actor in a desperate attempt to exorcise the ghosts of the past.

Directed by Robin Herford the play unfolds around the conversations of these two characters as they act out the solicitor’s experiences all those years ago.

The audience-puller was first performed in Scarborough in 1987 and its success has now reached a global level, in the US, South America and Tokyo.

The Woman in Black, adapted by Stephen Mallatratt from the novel by Susan Hill. At Richmond Theatre until Saturday, March 30; Monday to Saturday evenings 7.30pm, Saturday matinee 2.30pm. Tickets £12 to £27. Call 0844 8717651 or visit atgtickets.com/Richmond.