|
The Turn of the Screw
By Henry James
Adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher
Directed by Jessica Thebus
At Writers’ Theatre
664 Vernon Street
Glencoe, IL
Call 847-242-6000, tickets $45 - $58
Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 7:30 pm
Thursdays & Fridays at 8 pm
Saturdays at 4 & 8 pm
Sundays at 2 & 6 pm
Special weekday matinees (call)
Running time is 90 minutes with no intermission
Through March 30, 2007
Taught psychological thriller features excellent acting
Writers’ Theatre has a tradition of presenting literary adaptations and their new show is a two-hander, the 1898 Henry James novel, The Turn of the Screw. This adaptation by Jeffrey Hatcher is part ghost story and part psychological thriller that follows closely the controversial novel. This mesmerizing story is in terrific hands with Kymberly Mellen and LaShawn Banks.
 |
James’ classic tale involves a governess (Kymberly Mellen) who is hired to take care of two children in an English country manor, Bly. The seemingly innocent children gradually reveal terrifying secrets concerning lust, sexuality that turn into evil spirits. Using a minimalist set in the Writers’ Vernon Bookstore venue, The Turn of the Screw is a spine-tingling story deftly played by Mellen and Banks. LaShawn Banks works hard as he plays many parts—from a ten year old to a female house keeper to a pining lover and the narrator. Mellen anchors the story and gets us thinking if this is her dream or are the events she recalls actual events. Has evil contaminated Bly Manor and the two children? Did they witness the former governess and the butler having sex? Both lovers committed suicide and now are haunting the children as they attempt to use the children to rekindle their sexual appetites.
While the show could have used more lighting and sound to set the mood stronger, it does use dialogue and narration to kindle the psychological elements and atmosphere of evil and foreboding. This show makes us concentrate to ‘tune-in’ but once hooked, it delivers James’ work effectively. Banks and Mellen move through the script conveying the wide ranges of apprehension and fear most profoundly.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: November 28, 2007
Jeff Recommended
|
