The Turn of The Screw

The Turn of the Screw stage production is adapted from the novel by Henry James and is set in a large house in the Victorian era. The house is in the middle of the Yorkshire Moors, where paranormal and ghostly apparitions are in abundance. This production by the Dylis Guite Players was superbly directed, building up the tension as the storyline progressed and all enhanced with great lighting and sounds effects. I loved the Victorian outfits, make-up and hairstyles.

The seven actors were perfect with their characterisations, with great attention to clarity, diction, delivery at the correct pace and with emphasis in the correct places. Brilliant performances from everyone.

The play starts with the French windows opening on their own and the haunting and frightening character of the late valet, Quint, makes the first of his many appearances. So, setting the forthcoming events.

The Master of the house, Mr Crimond, employs Miss Grey as a governess to educate his nephew Miles and niece Flora. They, along with Mrs Grose the housekeeper, welcome Miss Grey into the household and all seems well. Mr Crimond then goes off to London leaving Miss Grey in charge. However, strange and unnatural situations develop, especially involving the children. Not only do we have frequent visits from Quint, but also from the late Miss Jessel, the previous governess, whose demise along with that of Quint was very suspicious.

As the story progress, we are introduced to more and more tense situations. Miss Grey sees these evil characters and is determined that they will not harm the children, even at the risk of her own life and sanity. The tension built up by all the actors was tremendous and you could have heard a pin drop in the theatre. The whole audience were spellbound.

Maen Gallagher was outstanding as the main character, Miss Grey, with copious amounts of dialogue all perfectly delivered and with characterisation to suit. She very rarely left the stage. Paigan Gibbons was first-class in the role of the housekeeper, Mrs Grose, complete with a Yorkshire accent and humour.

Although in the play/novel the age of the children is 10-12 years, due to child welfare issues the director, quite rightly in my opinion, was correct in casting adults for these roles.

Samantha Soffe performed effortlessly the role of Miles, an insolent and arrogant 12-year-old, with great diction and body language. Likewise, Hollie Warman as a 10-year-old girl, Flora, always wanting to get her own way. These two actors delivered their characters as young children with ease. 

We only meet Mr Crimond, the Master, at the beginning of the story and do not see him again, however, George Critchley gave us a very good, impressive performance.

As the two ghosts, Peter Quint (Ryan Pugh) and Miss Jessel (Emma Starczewski ), not a word or sound left their lips, but their costumes, make-up, staring eyes, body language and the way they moved around the stage said it all. It would certainly have given the most strong-willed person nightmares, and these two actors were spellbinding in more ways than one. 

This excellent production had an unexpected ending, which left the audience in complete silence. It was all achieved by first-class direction, acting, stage-set, eerie sound effects and lighting all combining to build up the correct atmosphere.

It’s good to watch different types of drama and this was certainly one that I had not seen before. The loud applause at the end of the performance was well deserved.

Thank you for the invite and hospitality and for a great evening out at the theatre.

 

Sue Cox

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     NODA N.E.  Drama Rep, Reg 14

 

 

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