THE LOWRY, SALFORD – 12 MARCH 2020
REVIEWED BY ANGELOS SPANTIDEAS
4****
The Turn of the Screw is a chilling horror opera, based loosely on a real ghost story that was told to Henry James. On the stage real world and fantasy are intertwined, in an elegant and refined set, with the lights and symphonies creating the right atmosphere for each scene which heighten the emotions of suspense the cast invokes on the audience. The makeup and stage effects do not disappoint into convincing, that the cast is experiencing real danger.
Sarah Tynan’s governess is a powerful performance of artistry and talent, while despite their age, Jennifer Clark and Tim Gasiorek, as Flora and Miles, are brilliant and their singing and acting is far beyond their age. Heather Shipp as Mrs Grose complements every scene and adds to the quality of the opera with her amazing vocals, while the contribution of the remaining of the cast being crucial to the conveying of the opera’s message.
Overall, as the opera unfolds, the audience has the opportunity to experience feelings of agony among with the characters with the aesthetics of each scene adding to the whole experience and supporting the dark theme of a thriller opera.