The Turn of the Screw will receive its world premiere at the Arcola Theatre this autumn before embarking on an extensive six-month national tour across the United Kingdom. Co-produced by the Arcola Theatre and Blackeyed Theatre, this gripping new stage adaptation is written by Olivier Award-winning playwright Morgan Lloyd Malcolm and directed by Nicky Allpress. The production, based on Henry James’s seminal gothic novella, will run from Friday 11 September to Saturday 10 October 2026, with an official press night scheduled for Friday 18 September.
Set in a remote English country house, the psychological thriller follows a young governess hired to care for two children. Her seemingly idyllic new life quickly unravels as she notices a darker presence surrounding her young charges. Desperate to protect them from what she believes to be malevolent spirits, she descends into a world of terrifying ambiguity where she must discover if the ghosts are real or merely a projection of internal dread. Henry James’s timeless masterwork of suspense famously served as the direct inspiration for Susan Hill’s The Woman in Black.
Rising talent Amy Tara leads the company as the Governess, following her acclaimed stage performance as Ophelia in Hamlet and her Best Actress victory at the British Horror Film Festival 2025 for the feature film Groupchat. Toby Benyon makes his professional stage debut in the challenging dual roles of Miles and Quint, reuniting with director Allpress following their successful fringe collaboration on Marseille (Away).
The principal cast features West End veteran Jim Fish as the Man/Master, whose extensive credits include the title role in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child alongside multiple seasons with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Katy Slater portrays Mrs Grose, bringing experience from productions of The Winter’s Tale and Radiant Vermin. The ensemble is completed by Kathleen McAuley Irvine as Flora/Jessel and Janita Mikkola, both making their professional debuts after completing their training at LAMDA.
The creative team features set and costume design by Matthew Cassar, lighting by Oliver McNally, sound design by Hattie North, and illusions by Member of the Inner Magic Circle Wayne Fox. Tickets are on sale now.
