THE perennial ghost story returns to Liverpool for just one week and in the beautiful surroundings of the classic Playhouse building you couldn't wish for a better setting.

This two-hander (or is it?) cue spooky music ... continues to scare people out of their seats.

More than seven million theatre-goers have witnessed this celebration of everything that is wonderful about live theatre.

PW Productions have brought Susan Hill's famous novel of the after-life very much to life.

The adaptation from the late Stephen Mallatrait, directed by Robin Herford, is a Gothic delight.

Dry ice, Victorian period costumes, sparse yet inventive props, sudden loud bangs and a superb use of lighting and sound effects all contribute to an atmospheric night in the theatre bringing out all the chilling elements from this clever 'economic' drama.

The 'play within a play' structure first frightened audiences in 1987 in Scarborough.

It is the story of Arthur Kipps who has been entrusted to settle the legal matters of the late Alice Drablow.

But something sinister happened on his journey which he wants an actor to relay to unsuspecting ears.

He himself has been scared wit-less.

On the opening night a show-stopping technical hitch (literally) could not dampen the spirit.

The storytelling is extremely well-paced and the piercing screams (some from the audience) all add to the hair-raising enjoyment.

Versatile Robert Goodale is the hesitant Kipps while charming Daniel Easton reminiscent of Rory Kinnear and Alexander Armstrong is 'the actor.'

But who is the Woman In Black?

I will not give the game away.

Suffice to say if you have never seen it you are in for a tingly treat. If you have ecountered it before you will certainly relish the unforgettable journey all over again.

Four stars

SUPER-natural!

Until Saturday

Tickets from 0151 709 4776 or everymanplayhouse.com