That – if I’m not very much mistaken – is The Woman in Black, and she’s coming to scare the bejesus out of Darlington Hippodrome audiences this January.

Susan Hill’s gothic horror ‘The Woman in Black’ became one of the most feted novels of its kind during the latter half of the 20th century. It’s spawned TV shows (the 1989 version penned by Nigel Kneale remains terrifying) and a well-received 2012 film adaption with Daniel Radcliffe. It’s also been adapted for the stage, with the original London production running to over 13,000 performances, making it the second longest-running play in the history of the West End, after The Mousetrap. And now this feted spine-chiller is making its way to Darlington. The gist? Obsessed with a curse that he believes has been cast over him and his family by the spectre of a Woman in Black, Arthur Kipps engages a sceptical young actor to help him tell his terrifying story and exorcise the fear that grips his very soul. Brrr… DP

The Woman in Black, 6-10 January, Darlington Hippodrome, 7.30pm (mats Thursday 2pm and Saturday 2.30pm), from £21, darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk