Henry James Digs into Your Psyche

The Turn of the Screw by Henry James, aka “The Master” in many circles due to his expertise in the literary arts, was his turn at the ghost story. The novella was published in 1898 and is every bit as frightening today as it was back then. Mr. James does not rely on cheap tricks, making things go bump on a dark and stormy night, or even more direct horror à la today’s slash and gore examples. No, Mr. James quietly turned the screw, so to speak, on a ghostly visage so close to reality the tale’s power lies in its very plausibility.

As a bit of a prelude to Halloween (why should the kiddies have all the fun?) the Island Theatre Workshop is doing a staged reading of the novella. This modern adaptation was done by Jeffrey Hatcher and it holds true to “The Master’s” original mixture of frights, humor, action and suspense.

Word to the wise, don’t go alone.

The first performance is tonight at 8 p.m. at the Katharine Cornell Theatre in Vineyard Haven. Subsequent performances are on Oct. 22, 23, 27, and 30 with a matinee performance at 2 p.m. on Oct. 29.

Ticket prices are $15 or 2 for $25 at the door.