Imaginative stage version of famous ghost story

Turn of the Screw: Imaginative stage version of famous ghost story

NO Productions Theatre Collective presents Jeffrey Hatcher's (scriptwriter for Casanova, Stage Beauty, Mr Holmes) stage rendering of Henry James's classic ghost story. Dark, intense and powerful, this show will immerse the Christchurch audience into the world of a 19th century English manor house filled with mystery and eerie suspense… And there is no better setting for it than the intimate Gloucester Room at the iconic Isaac Theatre Royal in Christchurch! Three shows only will be performed on 24-26 March, 8pm (Easter Weekend).

Imaginative staging of ghost stories has become something of a speciality for NO Productions Theatre Collective: the Christchurch audience might recall two previous immersive Gothic-themed productions performed at Ferrymead Heritage Park in 2014 and 2015. "Ghost stories are not easy to stage" - says Nataliya Oryshchuk, founder of the small independent theatre - "One needs to create a very particular mood and atmosphere, taking your audience on a journey *with* you, rather than just entertaining them with a spectacle. The audience need to become part of the story, participating in the creative process".

Turn of the Screw is perfect material for an intimate theatrical ghost story. A young governess journeys to a lonely English mansion to care for two recently orphaned children. But she is not their first governess… and very soon she realises that something is very wrong.

Altogether, the story involves six real characters and two ghosts (are they real? We don't know). Jeffrey Hatcher's inventive adaptation is written for two actors only: in the Christchurch version, the female actor (Nataliya Oryshchuk) plays the Governess, while the male actor (David Allen) plays all other characters. Michael Adams (well known by local theatre audiences) is the director and lighting designer of this production.

The show is part of the Isaac Theatre Royal's "Gloucester Room Sessions" that support local artists through the ASB Performing Arts Community Grant and Creative New Zealand funding.

Due to the nature of the show, PG 13 is recommended.

Duration: 1 hour 10 min
Tickets: $27 waged/$23 concession. Book at TICKETEK.

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