Review: The Turn of the Screw, Arcola Theatre

At a relaxed performance of Morgan Lloyd Malcolm’s new adaptation of the original gothic horror novella by Henry James, the audience are introduced to The Turn of the Screw cast with house lights up in the Arcola studio. In some instances, this might have spoiled specific character appearances (Janita Mikkola) and yet hearing the cast reassure us that they are only playing roles somehow added to the anticipation of storytelling and illusion. As lights went down the excitement went up with Hattie North’s creepy sound design and flickering lights from Oliver McNally. A (sensitively reduced) scream punctuates the effectively eerie soundscape and the cast returns in role.   

The Governess (Amy Tara) stands on a bare thrust stage and so begins Lloyd Malcolm’s central interrogation of the young employee’s claims to both sanity and as an eyewitness to supernatural activity. The reframing of the original narrative cuts between past and present by introducing a new un-named character known as Man (Jim Fish). His role is ambiguous as he raises psychological questions to provoke uncertainty. Fish also plays a slimy and entitled Master with well-pitched, predatory authority as his inappropriate sexual desires exploit a naive young woman’s aspirational first-time employment. Tara gives a watchable performance as the Governess, who leans into the character’s initial delight at landing such a seemingly great job. She deftly moves between past and present and delicately holds the core narrative.  

The horror-primed audience enjoy the red flags when the Governess agrees never to write to the Master, ask about the history of the house or leave the children. The plot thus moves her to Bly, a large country estate, to care for the two orphaned children in his charge and the traditional ghost story kicks in. Director Nicky Allpress ramps up the production with slick and stylish dramatic tension as the ensemble all come together in a series of jump scares and characters appear in a flash of light behind huge, panelled windows. It’s a classic mix of a scary large house and immaculately dressed children. Mrs Grose (Katy Slater) is the housekeeper that almost glides as a gatekeeper to the legacy of the previous employees, now deceased. Toby Beynon plays both Miles and Quint and Kathleen McAuley Irvine is Flora and Jessel. The concept of adults playing children is not new, however the double playing of the ghosts/being possessed by adults is dramatically interesting.  

Both dressed as young children, they are ambiguous in their relationship with the Governess. Beynon is particularly strong and, although physically taller, his transitions in and out of Quint are powerful. McAuley Irvine captures a childlike, evil innocence, and the staging cleverly has them appear and disappear into the immersive studio. Aided by a couple of clever illusions (Wayne Fox) and minimal props to create a heightened dramatic style of playing. The tailored costumes (Matthew Cassar) are nicely period appropriate and Cassar’s set design successfully includes a sepia projection of the house on the back wall. The staging is less effective for any audience sat on the side; the jump scares and character montage needed a front-facing seat for full effect. There is a beautifully realised filmic moment when lighting, movement (Mandy Gordon) and storytelling excel to depict a near-drowning in a lake.     

Allpress creates a dramatic, claustrophobic atmosphere as the script respectfully builds with supernatural ambiguity, erratic behaviour and doubts about what is real. The central character might benefit from a deeper balance of tone to dig deep into the gothic genre. There is menace despite the sightline issues and in this new framing, are women being ghosted to retell their story again? It’s a dark, seasonal treat to experience front on and full throttle! 

Written and adapted by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm
Directed by Nicky Allpress
Set & Costume Design by Matthew Cassar
Lighting Design by Oliver McNally
Sound Design by Hattie North
Illusionation by Wayne Fox
Intimacy & Movement Director: Mandy Gordon
Assistant Director: Emma Wilkinson

The Turn of the Screw plays at the Arcola Theatre until Saturday 10 October.