1 – 23 December

Brand-new stage production of Benjamin Britten’s thrilling opera THE TURN OF THE SCREW opens at Bath’s Ustinov Studio.

specially commissioned for Artistic Director Deborah Warner’s 2023/2024 season in Bath.

A young governess is sent to a remote country house to care for two children. She becomes increasingly disturbed by their behaviour but is under strict instruction never to bother their guardian in London. Are they innocent or wicked, possessed or just high-spirited?

Based on Henry James’s famous novella, Benjamin Britten’s The Turn of the Screw is a pillar of twentieth century opera and regarded as one of the most dramatic in the repertoire.

The cast of The Turn of the Screw includes BBC Cardiff Singer of the World finalist Sarah Gilford and internationally renowned soprano Anna Cavaliero, who share the role of The Governess. Royal Opera House soprano Emma Bell, who has performed in The Turn of the Screw across the world, shares the role of Mrs Grose with Sarah Pring, recently seen on Sky Arts’ Anyone Can Sing as a mentor and vocal coach with English National Opera. Elin Pritchard, who plays Miss Jessel, has performed with Opera North, Opera Holland Park and English National Opera, and Royal College of Music alumni Xavier Hetherington plays Peter Quint. The roles of the children Miles and Flora are shared by Oliver Michael and Arlo Murray, and Catherine Mulroy and Maia Greaves.

The Turn of the Screw is the second presentation of Ustinov Opera following last year’s Dido and Aeneas, which marked the first opera ever to be performed in the Ustinov Studio. Head of Music at the Royal Opera House, conductor and pianist Richard Hetherington once again collaborates with Artistic Director Deborah Warner as the season’s Head of Music, working closely with the musical team for the production.

Director Isabelle Kettle returns to Bath following her triumphantly acclaimed production of Dido and Aeneas, which played to sold out audiences at the Ustinov Studio in October 2022. The Turn of the Screw has been reimagined for the Ustinov Studio and is performed with two pianos, flute and celeste, led by Music Director Henry Websdale with pianist Aleksandra Myslek and flautist Carys Grittins.

English composer and conductor, Benjamin Britten is known for his substantial operatic output. He wrote sixteen operas including large scale works such as Peter Grimes, chamber operas and works for children. Commissioned by the Venice Biennale and premiered in 1954, The Turn of the Screw was his final chamber opera.

The Turn of the Screw appears at the Ustinov Studio at the Theatre Royal Bath from Friday 1^st December to Saturday 23^rd December. Tickets are on sale at the Theatre Royal Bath Box Office on 01225 448844 and online at www.theatreroyal.org.uk/ustinov