Britten’s The Turn of the Screw comes to life in an atmospheric new staging created by Natalie Abrahami and Michael Levine. This new production follows Billy Budd, Death in Venice, The Rape of Lucretia and Peter Grimes in the cycle of Britten works from The Royal Opera. Running in the Linbury Theatre 26 March – 6 April, the intimate theatre is the ideal space to be engrossed by the haunting and claustrophobic tale based on Henry James’ 1898 psychological thriller.
Directed by Abrahami, the ensemble cast is comprised of Elgan Llyr Thomas (Prologue/Peter Quint), Isabelle Peters (Governess), Claire Barnett-Jones (Mrs Grose) and Kate Royal (Miss Jessel), Phoenix Matthews and Glenn Tong (Miles) and Fleur Mauxion and Emilia Ostroumoff (Flora) with Bassem Akiki conducting the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House in the suspenseful score. He makes his Royal Opera debut. Costume designer Hannah Clark, lighting designer Guy Hoare, video designer Duncan McLean, movement and intimacy director Anna Morrissey and Levine’s set designs bring the chilling story to life.
Creators Natalie Abrahami and Michael Levine said:
“We first collaborated on Arthur Kopit’s WINGS in 2017 and knew we wanted to make another production together where all the stage disciplines overlap. We were drawn to Britten’s incredible musical ability to paint internal conflict and vulnerability. A story, woven with childhood secrets and unseen terrors, with each character depicted so deftly. Having sat with the material as we’ve studied the work, we feel all the more excited to make this piece.”
Matthews, Mauxion and Ostroumoff are members of the RBO Youth Opera Company, The Royal Opera’s in-house chorus of 9-13 year olds. The Youth Opera Company is a free initiative that gives children from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to perform in Royal Opera productions. Applications for 2026/27 entry open Tuesday 10 March and close Sunday 10 May. For more information, visit our website.
