The Turn of the Screw
The Turn of the Screw
The Turn of the Screw
An operatic ghost story based on a literary classic
Benjamin Britten’s chilling opera on fear, guilt and the corrupt depths of the human psyche comes to life in an atmospheric new staging.
Benjamin Britten’s chilling opera on fear, guilt and the corrupt depths of the human psyche comes to life in an atmospheric new staging.
The Britten Production Syndicate
Story
On an isolated estate, a young governess is tasked with caring for two children, with strict instruction not to contact their guardian. But as the children’s behaviour becomes increasingly unsettling, the governess finds herself alone, and dangerously out of her depth.
Background
Britten's chilling The Turn of the Screw comes to life in an atmospheric new staging created by Natalie Abrahami and Michael Levine. Bassem Akiki conducts the gripping and suspenseful score, whose fragmented themes reflect the Governess' growing disquiet, as she comes to uncover more about the children's behaviour – and what is prompting it. Claustrophobic, psychologically disturbing and even uncomfortably voyeuristic, this new production follows Billy Budd, Death in Venice and Peter Grimes in the cycle of Britten works from The Royal Opera.
Cast and Creatives
Cast
The cast of this production may vary depending on performance date. Go to cast and dates to see these.
Creatives
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Access
For step free access and wheelchair spaces in the Linbury Theatre, you will need to book seats on the right-hand side of the auditorium.
We have an assistive listening system available to use.
Upcoming accessible performances:
There will be a British Sign Language interpreted, Captioned and Audio Described performance with a Touch Tour on 30 March 2026. Touch Tours must be booked by contacting boxoffice@roh.org.uk for tickets.
Join our Access Scheme for priority access performance tickets and to personalise your account for your access requirements.
See our Accessibility page for more information on access at the Royal Opera House.
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