At the very heart of every good ghost story is the unexplained and, in Tim Luscombe’s superb adaptation of Henry James’ Turn of the Screw, there is plenty that remains unexplained and a plethora of spooky happenings to keep the audience on the very edge of their seats.
Sara Perks massively imposing set of dust sheet covered furniture and huge skewed pillars also asks more than it answers and from the outset, when the rocking horse mysteriously uncovers itself and starts to move unaided, we know that there is something supernatural occurring – or is there ?
There is no waiting for a twist at the end in this production for the twist happens within the first few minutes and we soon find ourselves in the company of The Governess (Carli Norris) and Mrs Conray who, as an eight year old girl, was, together with her brother, the first charge of The Governess some 30 years previously.
Annabel Smith plays Mrs Conray and her younger self, Flora, switching between the roles with just a subtle pause, usually accompanied by one of many loud sound effects. Her mannerisms and speech patterns change in an instant so there is never any confusion as she develops both characters simultaneously.
Flora’s brother, Miles, and her father are both played by Michael Hanratty and, once again, the switching works very well and he is perfectly believable as both the charismatic and seductive father and as the boy who, for an unexplained reason, has been expelled from his school.
Mrs Grose (Maggie McCarthy) is the totally stereotypical housekeeper who provides continuity throughout the piece, often ushering Flora and Miles on or off the stage but, aside from that, her character is given little chance to develop or to become a significant part of a tale that revolves around one central character.
As The Governess, Carli Norris dominates the stage and it is her wonderfully crafted performance that leaves the audience with so many questions. Are the children as innocent as they seem? Are the “ghosts” of the Valet and the former Governess visible to all, or just figments of a tormented mind? What really happened to Miles on that fateful night?
All these questions and more may, or may not, be answered in this thrilling production that has the audience guessing long after they have left the theatre.
**** Four Stars