The Turn of the Screw presented by Victorian Opera tickets
About The Turn of the Screw
Sinister forces may – or may not – be lurking.
Henry James’ gothic novella has spooked generations of readers with this chilling tale of a governess, the children in her ward, and sinister forces that may — or may not — be tormenting them.
Benjamin Britten’s 1954 adaptation dials up the suspense and leaves you questioning everything you have just witnessed.
In a haunting production by Stuart Maunder, the scale of this chamber opera is both intimate and immense. Nothing is what it seems in the eerie setting of an English manor home, strikingly conjured by Tony Award-winning designer Roger Kirk.
Conductor and Britten specialist Paul Kildea leads Orchestra Victoria and a star cast, headed by soprano Rachelle Durkin as the terrorised governess and tenor Kanen Breen as the ghostly presence, Peter Quint.
Prepare for a spine-tingling night at opera.
Run time
2hr. 20min. Incl. 1 Interval.
Venue
Categories
Start date
29th September, 2026
End date
1st October, 2026
Venue
Palais Theatre
Accessibility
Entry is via the Lower Esplanade main entrance, with accessible, step-free access from the footpath to the Ground Level auditorium. The Stalls offer accessible seating in Rows A & W, plus lift access and an accessible toilet. Lift access is available to the Level 1 foyer, with access to the bars, Lounge Row D accessible seating and an accessible toilet.
Directions
BY TRAM: The nearest tram stop is a 1-minute walk from the venue: Stop 138 Luna Park / The Esplanade. Trams 16, 96 and 3a (weekends only).
BY BUS: Several bus routes stop within a short walk of the venue: 246, 600/922/923, 606 and 623.
BY TAXI: A designated taxi rank is located on Acland Street, near Carlisle Street.
BY CAR: Nearby parking includes St Kilda Triangle (1 min), Luna Park (3 min), St Kilda Sea Baths (5 min), Acland Street Shops (6 min), Marine Parade (7 min), Acland Court (8 min), Jackson Street (9 min) and Metropol (14 min). Most parking in St Kilda, including on-street parking, is paid. Please check signage and parking hours, and note that weekends can be particularly busy.
More information about The Turn of the Screw
Based on the 1898 novella The Turn of the Screw by Henry James
Composer: Benjamin Britten
Librettist: Myfanwy Piper
Conductor: Paul Kildea
Director: Stuart Maunder
Set & Costume Designer: Roger Kirk
Lighting Designer: Trudy Dalgleish
CAST
Governess: Rachelle Durkin
Prologue / Peter Quint: Kanen Breen
Mrs Grose: Sharon Prero
Miss Jessell: Michaela Cadwgan
Orchestra: Orchestra Victoria
