Review: The Turn of the Screw - Wolterton Hall

The stunning Wolterton Hall

Review by Ray Tempesta

One of the Norfolk countryside's hidden gems provides the setting for a tense, atmospheric promenade theatre adaptation of Henry James' novel, The Turn of the Screw.

Led by actors Rose Quentin and Rachael Cummins, the story follows a governess (Quentin) who is hired to care for two children, Flora and Miles, at a remote country house. While initially besotted with the seemingly angelic pair, some ghostly sightings unsettle the governess and she becomes convinced that the children can also see these apparitions and are themselves possessed. After Flora is sent away to London to recover from illness, the governess is left alone with Miles, where the story comes to a startling conclusion.

There was much to enjoy about this adaptation, written by Mike Poulton. Firstly, it was thoughtfully put together by Director, Katie Thompson and Producer, Debbie Thompson, with the production making use of a few rooms and the grounds of the beautiful Wolterton Hall to set the action.

There was also delightful additional touches such as the use of a horse drawn carriage to transport the governess and Miles to the house on separate occasions (even if the horse did choose the governess' opening monologue as the moment to empty its bladder!). It was also clear that they'd given careful thought to the start time, ensuring that the sun had set and the night was drawing in ahead of a much moodier, brooding second half of the show.

The piece is anchored by fine performances from Quentin and Cummins (who plays housekeeper, Mrs Grose), whose acting chops get a full workout as the story gradually descends from its initially calm, almost romantic air to a chilling, edgy drama.

A special mention should also go to the two young actors playing Flora and Miles, utterly charming and confidently portrayed in this preview performance by real life siblings Elizabeth and Thomas Heath.

It was by no means a perfect production, but I think it's only fair to preface my criticisms with the fact that I was attending a preview performance - effectively the company's final dress rehearsal.

The pacing of the piece was a slight issue, with the vast majority of the audience having to stand throughout the entire performance. Initially, the production's glacial pace is a boon, allowing you to gawp at the palatial surroundings as the action moves between the rooms and the grounds of the Hall.

But it loses its lustre when you're sometimes stood at the rear of the pack for 10 minutes craning your neck to see what's happening. Some of the rooms were just too small to comfortably accommodate a (approx.) 60 strong audience and ensure a decent view of the action for everyone.

The use of community actors to play domestic staff helped to set the scene, but when they were effectively deployed as ushers to guide the audience from location to location, their apparent non-speaking policy made things a little awkward, especially for the actors trying to herd people into specific positions.

There were clearly a few jitters as the team adjusted to the performance with an audience in place for the first time, but I'm certain most of these creases will be ironed out on opening night.

Overall, it's obvious how much hard work has gone into producing this very unique piece of theatre, and for the most part it pays off, providing great drama in a wonderful setting. The Turn of the Screw runs at Wolterton Hall from the 8-11 July.