Following the critically acclaimed 2018 tour, Henry James’ iconic, genre defining, ghost story Turn of the Screw returns for a UK tour, opening in Exeter Northcott Theatre 28th March and today announces Janet Dibley in the role of The Governess and the return of Maggie McCarthy as Mrs Grose.
In 1840 a young governess agrees to look after two orphaned children in Bly, a seemingly idyllic country house. But shortly after her arrival, she realises that they are not alone. There are others – the ghosts of Bly’s troubled past. The Governess will risk everything to keep the children safe, even if it means giving herself up to The Others. Years later, confronted by the past she is compelled to account for what actually happened to her and the innocents under her protection. This fresh, thrilling adaptation from Tim Luscombe deftly retains the ambiguity of James’ original, and lets you draw your own conclusions about the events at Bly and where guilt resides.
Janet Dibley first became a household name in the much-loved ITV hit series The Two of Us. She went on to star in a number of TV roles including Eastenders, Doctors, Broadchurch and more recently Coronation Street. Her most recent theatre work have been the acclaimed tours of Kindertransport, A Murder is Announced, and Women on the Verge of HRT. In 2016 Janet created and performed the title role in the huge hit UK tour of Jackie the Musical and later this year can be seen back on the screen in the BBC’s award-winning series Shakespeare and Hathaway. Maggie McCarthy has worked extensively in Film, TV and Theatre including Call The Midwife for the BBC.
Turn of the Screw is presented by Dermot McLaughlin Productions Ltd in co-production with the Mercury Colchester, Wolverhampton Grand and joined for this tour by Exeter Northcott Theatre. Written by Tim Luscombe, it is directed by Daniel Buckroyd (Spamalot, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Clybourne Park, End of the Rainbow) with design by Sara Perks.
This new adaptation of Henry James’ seminal tale, the original inspiration for Susan Hill’s The Woman in Black and a number of films, is a masterclass in stage-craft deliciously atmospheric set and lighting design and an evocative soundtrack.
