Interpretation and performance: The Turn of the Screw by Benjamin Britten and Myfanwy Piper. (1st December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ewans, Michael
• Is Part Of: Journal of adaptation in film & performance. Volume 14:Number 3(2021)
• Page Start: 259
• Page End: 279
• Publication Date: 2021-12-01
• Subjects: Film adaptations -- History and criticism -- Periodicals; Motion pictures and literature -- Periodicals; 791.43605
• DOI: 10.1386/jafp_00057_1
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1753-6421

Abstract

This article revisits the important fields of dispute about The Turn of the Screw ‐ whether the ambiguity about the reality of the ghosts, which is present in Henry James's novella, carries over into the opera; what the Governess's state of mind is; what kind of possession of the children is sought by the ghosts; and how the closing moments are to be interpreted. The focus is not just on what the libretto and score can tell us when studied by themselves; examples of decisions by directors and singing actors are drawn from two productions available on DVD, and one available on YouTube, ranging from a 1983 production recorded at a 1990 revival via a 1992 staging to a new production in 2019. There is also reference to some pre-1985 productions cited by Patricia Howard. The discussion widens in the Conclusion to draw out the implications of the analysis for the production of other operas. An Appendix provides a comparative synopsis of the opera and the novella.