The Turn of the Screw – Not Suspenseful Enough To Be Scary

In 1898 Henry James penned the Ghost Story Novella – “The Turn of the Screw”.  The story of a fresh faced young woman who is seduced into the position of Governess to two children who had been left orphaned.  She arrives at her new position to find the old housekeeper, and a mute young girl at the manor “Bly”. The boy Miles was off at boarding school.  She quickly learns from the housekeeper that the governess who preceded her had a violent sexual affair with the male Valet and they are now both dead.  

As the story unfolds the Governess begins to see figures in the garden, reflections in the windows and a man on the tower…are these strangers on the grounds or are they the ghosts of the dead Governess and Valet? But, why would they have returned here?  This is a story about building suspense and fear, determining if what is happening is paranormal activity, the face of evil or the manifestation of the insanity of a young fragile mind. This is also a dark story of child abuse, mistreatment and sexual abuse – which in true 1898 style is written in a flowery “proper” manner that is disturbing none the less.

This story was adapted into a two-person play by American playwright Jeffrey Hatcher in the mid 90’s. The words he uses are quite formal and give you the feeling of being in the late 1800’s. Regina-based director Abbey Thiessen has chosen to present this adaptation using a stage that is bare except for one chair and no props except for a single silver locket. The play has one male and one female actor – both dressed totally in black.  The male actor (Adam Milne) plays a variety of roles including the Uncle, the twisted-up old housekeeper and the boy Miles. Miles is Milne’s strongest character displaying a soft spoken child that had been so damaged by the evil that was inflicted upon him.  Milne also creates a variety of sound effects and noises while on the outskirts of the scenes -  as the actors never leave the stage during the production. The female actor (Gabrielle Dufresne) portrays the role of the innocent Governess with the wide eyed wonder of being seduced by and pleasing the Master, while solving the unsolvable situation on her own.
 
Unfortunately I just didn’t feel enough suspense.  I didn’t feel the dark scary feelings that make a ghost story work. Instead, I found the story wordy, stylized and bit rushed at times. With a bare stage and actors dressed in black – the audience needs to have the story created for them in as vivid a manner as possible. The words and actions need to show me where they are, what they see, how grand or rundown is the manor “Bly”, and what does the face of evil look like? The small girl in the show is not seen but only referred to - I want to see her face and know what she is thinking – this can only be done through the words and actions of the actors on the stage. This show will not have you on the edge of your seat and I don’t think it will be giving you nightmares... but it is a classically written story with some beautiful language, some ugly evil images, moments of real emotion for both actors and a very non-Hollywood ending.