Turn of the Screw - Wolverhampton Grand

​With a warning of mild peril this much-loved Henry James thriller, adapted by Tim Luscombe, is faithful to the original.

Set in 1840, the staging and actors immediately draw the audience into the eerie atmospheric tale of a new governess agreeing to looking after two orphans. 

The problem is that soon after arriving she realises they are not alone. She also learns of Bly’s troubled past but now is the time to confront what really happened. By using an unreliable narrator, it powerfully leaves the audience drawing their own conclusions. 

The small cast all gave impeccable and powerful performances throughout. With a seamless and suitable adaption to their acting to suit when the story was set. This included Carli Norris as the governess; Maggie McCarthy as Mrs Grose, Annabel Smith as Mrs Conway and Michael Hanratty as the man. The two understudies were played by Jen Holt and Tom Macqueen.

All the costumes and staging helped to build the intensity of this psychological thriller. The audience remained silent throughout and the sense of unease was heightened by the inability to predict what was about to happen. 

The clever use of staging effects induced panic and their were noticeable jumps from the audience before reaching the big finale. 

Turning of the Screw plays at Wolverhampton Grand until Saturday 14 April.