Torch Theatre Company welcomes you to Jeffrey Hatcher’s ingenious adaptation of Henry James’s chilling novella The Turn of the Screw. Part ghost story, part psychological thriller, this Gothic classic is sure to leave your spine tingling.

A bright young woman arrives at Bly Manor, to act as governess to two orphaned children. But over the course of seven days an eerie mystery unravels – what happened to the former governess? And who is the man that keeps appearing around the manor grounds,

The first thing that struck me was the incredible set, designed by Ruth Stringer. To be honest, I still get as excited seeing the set design for each new play as I did when I was a little girl. I remember being so impressed when I first saw a two storey set over 40 years ago! In this production, the stage transformed into the inner house and its gardens, with actual water shimmering across it — such a clever, haunting touch. I was mesmerized even before the show had begun. The set itself focused on the interior spaces, but the cast’s vivid descriptions of the exterior — the grand house, the sweeping grounds, and the towering trees — brought the world beyond the stage to life. Dramatic lighting set the mood from the Governess optimistically hoping for a brighter, wonderful house to live and work at to a darker more sinister side. You could almost see the fog curling around the windows and feel the chill of the night air outside.

The Turn of the Screw: The Cast

The cast of two were absolutely amazing. Both actors carried the story with such skill and energy, with Sam Freeman switching seamlessly between roles and emotions, keeping the audience completely captivated throughout. Sam’s physical acting was so clear, we could tell which character he was playing before he even says a word. In addition to his talent, Sam credits the great script “that focuses on telling a strong, mysterious and compelling story, help to sense of the switching.” The Governess, played by Seren Vickers, initially oozes charm, innocence and enthusiasm for her new role and draws the audience in to her her story. Their connection on stage and the precision of their performances made every moment feel intense and alive.

I was surprised (and delighted) by how much humour there was woven into the performance. It wasn’t something I expected from Henry James’ famously eerie tale, but it worked so well. Those moments of levity balanced the tension beautifully, making the darker scenes even more chilling when they came.

“What’s scarier than one ghost?”

“Two ghosts!” Ooh!

There were definitely a few jumps along the way — the kind that make you grip your seat (or in my case, Dave’s arm!) just a little tighter! The opening had a real Jane Eyre quality to it, with its sense of isolation and the young governess arriving at a grand, remote house to care for her charge. The dynamic between the governess and the mysterious uncle echoed the Brontë classic — even Jane Eyre herself gets a mention in the play, acknowledging the literary lineage and adding a clever touch of self-awareness that fellow fans of gothic fiction will appreciate. It’s a subtle nod that deepens the atmosphere and grounds the story in its Victorian roots.

The music and sound design were stunning too — from lullabies to the swelling of the score, everything added to that sense of unease and intrigue. The composers, Jack Beddis and Tom Sinnett, and technical team deserve as much praise as the cast for bringing this ghost story to life.

As the story unfolded, we were led through riddles, half-truths, and eerie suggestions — and as always with The Turn of the Screw, it leaves much to the imagination. As a child, riddles were the main reason I fell in love with another classic novel-The Hobbit- so these are an interesting addition by Jeffrey Hatcher in the play. Hatcher’s ending is deliberately ambiguous, and that’s part of the fun. You’ll walk out debating what really happened — and who (or what) to believe. Dave and I talked about the show all the way home…whilst I kept looking over my shoulder and holding his hand a little tighter than usual!

It’s no surprise that the performance ended with a well-deserved standing ovation — a true testament to the talent and hard work of everyone involved.

This production is beautifully staged, wonderfully performed, and perfectly timed for autumn nights. If you love a story that keeps you guessing and lingers long after the curtain falls, come and see it for yourself — and decide what you think really happened…

Enjoy!

Delwedd: Lloyd Grayshon, Media to Motion

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