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The Turn of the Screw

Presented by Austin Playhouse at Austin Playhouse

October 23-November 8, 2009

Avg. Event Rating (3.6 Stars):
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Just in time for Halloween, Austin Playhouse presents Henry James' classic ghost story. The Turn of the Screw is not suitable for young children or the faint of heart!The Turn of the Screw tells the story of a young governess left to care for two children at an isolated English country estate. Soon after her arrival, she begins to see visions of two malicious ghosts who seem determined to corrupt and posses the children in her care. But are the visions real or are they a product of her troubled imagination?

 

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  • Venue Info

    Austin Playhouse

    3601 South Congress Avenue
    Austin, TX 78704

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  • Admission Info

    Tickets: Tickets $20 ($10 for students)

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  • Dates & Times

    Dates:
    October 23-November 8, 2009

    Times:
    Thursday - Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 5 p.m.

  • Accessibility Info

    Currently, no accessibility information is available for this event.

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    Currently, additional images/videos have not been submitted for this event.

  • Member Reviews

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    • Event Name: The Turn of the Screw
      "Haunted and Charismatic Lead"
      Review posted by: austinlivetheatre.com from austin, Nov 06, 2009
      

      reviewed Jenny Gravenstein, haunted & charismatic, Ben Wolfe as shape-shifter in Playhouse's Turn of the Screw. http://tinyurl.com/yfc6ft6

      reviewed Jenny Gravenstein, haunted & charismatic, Ben Wolfe as shape-shifter in Playhouse's Turn of the Screw. http://tinyurl.com/yfc6ft6

    • Event Name: The Turn of the Screw
      "A Theater-Lover's Show"
      Review posted by: Silver Stage Siren from Austin, TX, Nov 04, 2009
      

      Although "The Turn of the Screw" is often considered to be a ghost story, those expecting scary thrills and chilling special effects will be disappointed. However, those who love nuanced and... Expand

      Although "The Turn of the Screw" is often considered to be a ghost story, those expecting scary thrills and chilling special effects will be disappointed. However, those who love nuanced and thoughtful character development will be more than satisfied. The Austin Playhouse chooses to precisely follow Jeffery Hatch's spare adaptation, using only two actors to play all roles and to create all sound effects. A production like this is only successful if the actors are completely engaged in creating complex and dynamic characters that captivate the audiences' interest without the help of elaborate set or props. The talented duo of Jenny Gravenstein and Ben Wolfe rise remarkably to the challenge, embodying their characters with spirit, emotion, and excellent vocal characterization. Wolfe especially shows great skill in creating distinct voices for several characters of varying age and gender, but I would have liked slightly more variation in the physical embodiment of each role. Collapse

    • Event Name: The Turn of the Screw
      "Great performances, tight direction"
      Review posted by: Anonymous from Austin, TX, Nov 01, 2009
      

      I saw this show on Halloween, and it was perfect fare for an evening in need of a ghost story. Gravenstein is a captivating performer--she "seduced" me, as Henry James might say. Any of her... Expand

      I saw this show on Halloween, and it was perfect fare for an evening in need of a ghost story. Gravenstein is a captivating performer--she "seduced" me, as Henry James might say. Any of her choices that I may have questioned along the way were entirely justified--to say more might reveal too much. :) So, I'll leave it at...she was fantastic. Wolfe is, strangely, most convincing as both a young boy and as a matron. In terms of direction, what strikes me is how wonderful the blocking and use of light were. They really helped clarify for the audience the shifts of time, place, and character. Wonderful performances, direction, and design make this show a great choice for this season. Don't miss it! Collapse

    • Event Name: The Turn of the Screw
      "Two Remakable Performances"
      Review posted by: Austin Theatre Examiner from austin, Oct 29, 2009
      

      The play has a hard time finding its tone, and provides very few scares, but thanks to two remarkable performances by Wolfe and Gravenstein, who breath new life into Henry James’ centuries-old... Expand

      The play has a hard time finding its tone, and provides very few scares, but thanks to two remarkable performances by Wolfe and Gravenstein, who breath new life into Henry James’ centuries-old ghost story, the show is saved from the deep chasms of mediocrity. http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-14051-Austin-Theater-Examiner~y2009m10d29-Turn-of-the-Screw-Great-performances-but-not-enough-boo-for-your-buck Collapse

    • Event Name: The Turn of the Screw
      "Perfect Show for Halloween Season"
      Review posted by: Austin OnStage from austin, Oct 27, 2009
      

      Olin Meadows finds Austin Playhouse's current production of The Turn of the Screw - adapted for the stage by Jeffrey Hatcher from the story by Henry James - is the perfect show for a spooky and... Expand

      Olin Meadows finds Austin Playhouse's current production of The Turn of the Screw - adapted for the stage by Jeffrey Hatcher from the story by Henry James - is the perfect show for a spooky and intense Halloween season. Read the full review at http://tinyurl.com/yk458p5 Collapse

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    Currently, additional images/videos have not been submitted for this event.

• Member
  Reviews

  • Member Reviews

    Add review/comment

    • Event Name: The Turn of the Screw
      "Haunted and Charismatic Lead"
      Review posted by: austinlivetheatre.com from austin, Nov 06, 2009
      

      reviewed Jenny Gravenstein, haunted & charismatic, Ben Wolfe as shape-shifter in Playhouse's Turn of the Screw. http://tinyurl.com/yfc6ft6

      reviewed Jenny Gravenstein, haunted & charismatic, Ben Wolfe as shape-shifter in Playhouse's Turn of the Screw. http://tinyurl.com/yfc6ft6

    • Event Name: The Turn of the Screw
      "A Theater-Lover's Show"
      Review posted by: Silver Stage Siren from Austin, TX, Nov 04, 2009
      

      Although "The Turn of the Screw" is often considered to be a ghost story, those expecting scary thrills and chilling special effects will be disappointed. However, those who love nuanced and... Expand

      Although "The Turn of the Screw" is often considered to be a ghost story, those expecting scary thrills and chilling special effects will be disappointed. However, those who love nuanced and thoughtful character development will be more than satisfied. The Austin Playhouse chooses to precisely follow Jeffery Hatch's spare adaptation, using only two actors to play all roles and to create all sound effects. A production like this is only successful if the actors are completely engaged in creating complex and dynamic characters that captivate the audiences' interest without the help of elaborate set or props. The talented duo of Jenny Gravenstein and Ben Wolfe rise remarkably to the challenge, embodying their characters with spirit, emotion, and excellent vocal characterization. Wolfe especially shows great skill in creating distinct voices for several characters of varying age and gender, but I would have liked slightly more variation in the physical embodiment of each role. Collapse

    • Event Name: The Turn of the Screw
      "Great performances, tight direction"
      Review posted by: Anonymous from Austin, TX, Nov 01, 2009
      

      I saw this show on Halloween, and it was perfect fare for an evening in need of a ghost story. Gravenstein is a captivating performer--she "seduced" me, as Henry James might say. Any of her... Expand

      I saw this show on Halloween, and it was perfect fare for an evening in need of a ghost story. Gravenstein is a captivating performer--she "seduced" me, as Henry James might say. Any of her choices that I may have questioned along the way were entirely justified--to say more might reveal too much. :) So, I'll leave it at...she was fantastic. Wolfe is, strangely, most convincing as both a young boy and as a matron. In terms of direction, what strikes me is how wonderful the blocking and use of light were. They really helped clarify for the audience the shifts of time, place, and character. Wonderful performances, direction, and design make this show a great choice for this season. Don't miss it! Collapse

    • Event Name: The Turn of the Screw
      "Two Remakable Performances"
      Review posted by: Austin Theatre Examiner from austin, Oct 29, 2009
      

      The play has a hard time finding its tone, and provides very few scares, but thanks to two remarkable performances by Wolfe and Gravenstein, who breath new life into Henry James’ centuries-old... Expand

      The play has a hard time finding its tone, and provides very few scares, but thanks to two remarkable performances by Wolfe and Gravenstein, who breath new life into Henry James’ centuries-old ghost story, the show is saved from the deep chasms of mediocrity. http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-14051-Austin-Theater-Examiner~y2009m10d29-Turn-of-the-Screw-Great-performances-but-not-enough-boo-for-your-buck Collapse

    • Event Name: The Turn of the Screw
      "Perfect Show for Halloween Season"
      Review posted by: Austin OnStage from austin, Oct 27, 2009
      

      Olin Meadows finds Austin Playhouse's current production of The Turn of the Screw - adapted for the stage by Jeffrey Hatcher from the story by Henry James - is the perfect show for a spooky and... Expand

      Olin Meadows finds Austin Playhouse's current production of The Turn of the Screw - adapted for the stage by Jeffrey Hatcher from the story by Henry James - is the perfect show for a spooky and intense Halloween season. Read the full review at http://tinyurl.com/yk458p5 Collapse

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