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English National Opera

Turn of the Screw

Rebecca Evans (Governess) / Timothy Robinson (Peter Quint)
Photo © Neil Libbert

by Britten

The London Coliseum

30th November - 8th of December, 2007

Based on the novella by Henry James, Turn of the Screw takes place in a country house in Bly. Set in the 19^th Century, The Governess travels to look after two children, Flora and Miles, with only the housekeeper Mrs. Grose for company. After a happy beginning, things soon start to turn sour, and The Governess fears the worst for the children and herself as she realises all is not well or natural at the house in Bly.

A starkly and richly gothic performance, the open stage with dark lighting and dominating glass windows set the mysterious and haunting effect of the piece. Tanya McCallin’s use of light and space onstage made the design just perfect. Rebecca Evans puts on a formidable show in her first interpretation of The Governess, exercising the right amount of compassion and suspicion, as well as the knee tremblingly fantastic voice of Ann Murray as Mrs. Grose. Her voice soars through the words effortlessly as if it were a pure joy to sing. Applaudable efforts to young George Longworth, who plays the innocent Miles, and Nazan Fikret as the charming Flora; their interplay and harmonising rang through innocence into an eerily creepy realm, setting off Britten’s intended effect for the piece.

Down to the servants who acted as stage hands, Turn of the Screw had an indescribably unsettling human emptiness to it. It is not based on fright, shock or terror, but more on loneliness, the unknown and emotional detachment. The contrast of The Governess throughout the piece gives you the sense that you don’t know whether you should be urging her to stay, or leave and save herself.

Cleverly lit by Adam Silverman, the design team have pulled off a flawless job of creating silhouettes and unknown shadows without giving the audience some hammed up special effect. In fact, it’s a clever use of elaborate design coupled with a few simple techniques that seems to add to the authentically Victorian feel of the piece.

Fans of the novel by James may be surprised by the more overt elements they have played up in this production; the more explicit suggestion of child abuse and the fact that it is told by the characters and not as a narrative will add a new dimension to their understanding. Though occasionally Victorian in sentiment and insincere, the emotional intensity of the piece is apparent.

Overall, a starkly wonderful and chillingly beautiful winter piece for the ENO to do at this time in their season. Fans of Britten and James alike will not be disappointed. Turn of the Screw will leave you feeling ever so slightly perturbed as you walk out a make the journey home into the darkness, wondering what exactly the ghosts in your life are.

runs on 30^th November and the 1^st, 3^rd, 6^th and 8^th of December with earlier starts on the 1^st and 8^th

			Opera Review





	Reviewers Allan Taylor Archives Latest Theatre Reviews English National Opera Turn of the Screw Rebecca Evans (Governess) / Timothy Robinson (Peter Quint) Photo © Neil Libbert by Britten The London Coliseum 30th November - 8th of December, 2007 A review by Allan Taylor for EXTRA! EXTRA! Based on the novella by Henry James, Turn of the Screw takes place in a country house in Bly. Set in the 19^th Century, The Governess travels to look after two children, Flora and Miles, with only the housekeeper Mrs. Grose for company. After a happy beginning, things soon start to turn sour, and The Governess fears the worst for the children and herself as she realises all is not well or natural at the house in Bly. A starkly and richly gothic performance, the open stage with dark lighting and dominating glass windows set the mysterious and haunting effect of the piece. Tanya McCallin’s use of light and space onstage made the design just perfect. Rebecca Evans puts on a formidable show in her first interpretation of The Governess, exercising the right amount of compassion and suspicion, as well as the knee tremblingly fantastic voice of Ann Murray as Mrs. Grose. Her voice soars through the words effortlessly as if it were a pure joy to sing. Applaudable efforts to young George Longworth, who plays the innocent Miles, and Nazan Fikret as the charming Flora; their interplay and harmonising rang through innocence into an eerily creepy realm, setting off Britten’s intended effect for the piece. Down to the servants who acted as stage hands, Turn of the Screw had an indescribably unsettling human emptiness to it. It is not based on fright, shock or terror, but more on loneliness, the unknown and emotional detachment. The contrast of The Governess throughout the piece gives you the sense that you don’t know whether you should be urging her to stay, or leave and save herself. Cleverly lit by Adam Silverman, the design team have pulled off a flawless job of creating silhouettes and unknown shadows without giving the audience some hammed up special effect. In fact, it’s a clever use of elaborate design coupled with a few simple techniques that seems to add to the authentically Victorian feel of the piece. Fans of the novel by James may be surprised by the more overt elements they have played up in this production; the more explicit suggestion of child abuse and the fact that it is told by the characters and not as a narrative will add a new dimension to their understanding. Though occasionally Victorian in sentiment and insincere, the emotional intensity of the piece is apparent. Overall, a starkly wonderful and chillingly beautiful winter piece for the ENO to do at this time in their season. Fans of Britten and James alike will not be disappointed. Turn of the Screw will leave you feeling ever so slightly perturbed as you walk out a make the journey home into the darkness, wondering what exactly the ghosts in your life are. Turn of the Screw runs on 30^th November and the 1^st, 3^rd, 6^th and 8^th of December with earlier starts on the 1^st and 8^th Tickets £15-£85 For more information, visit http://www.eno.org/ or call 0871 911 0200 Copyright © EXTRA! EXTRA All rights reserved Allan Taylor Archives Reviewers Latest Theatre Reviews bMary Couzens