The Turn of the Screw Synopsis

Act I

The early 1960s. The Governess is in a mental asylum. Thirty years ago, she was engaged to work at Bly, a lonely country house, to look after two recently orphaned children, Miles and Flora.

Prologue

A man reads from an old journal the recollections of the then young Governess describing her interview with the handsome, worldly guardian of the children.

The Journey

Full of questions, hopes and anxieties, the Governess recalls her journey to Bly, long ago.

The Welcome

Mrs Grose, Miles and Flora await the Governess’s arrival. She is charmed by the beauty of the children and touched by the friendliness of Mrs Grose. Miles and Flora want to show her the house.

The Letter

There is a letter for the Governess which upsets her. Miles’s school has written, telling her he is expelled. But he seems so innocent. She declares her intention to do nothing, and to say nothing to the children’s guardian. Mrs Grose admires her decision.

The Tower

The Governess explores the grounds of Bly. She is proud of her work with the children, and her anxieties and fears have abated. She wishes the children’s guardian could see how well she is doing. She thinks she sees him in the distance, but she is mistaken. It is not him.

The Window

The Governess’s concern about the stranger increases when she thinks she sees him again. She describes the man to Mrs Grose, who says he sounds like Peter Quint, a former valet, who was much too free with the previous governess, Miss Jessel – too free with everyone. Mrs Grose then tells her that Quint and Miss Jessel are both dead.

The Lesson

Miles and Flora are at their lessons.

The Lake

The Governess continues a lesson with Flora by the lake. Flora sings a lullaby to her doll. The Governess thinks she sees Miss Jessel across the lake and becomes fearful.

At Night

The Governess sees Miles through her window, outside in the moonlight. She thinks Quint is calling for him, and Miss Jessel is calling for Flora.

Interval of 20 minutes

Act II

The Governess is, as before, in a mental asylum. She is upset by what she thinks she hears in the next room. It reminds her of Bly.

Colloquy and Soliloquy

Quint and Miss Jessel seem to be together in the schoolroom. The relationship is abusive. The Governess is distressed.

The Bells

Miles and Flora play priests. Miles confronts the Governess. He asks when he is going back to school. He challenges her to inform his guardian about what she thinks is going on. She decides to leave Bly.

Miss Jessel

The Governess finds Miss Jessel in the schoolroom with the children. She is jealous and disturbed, and at last writes to the children’s guardian.

The Bedroom

The Governess tells Miles that she has written to his guardian. She presses him to tell her what happened at school, and at Bly before she came.

Quint

Miles steals her letter.

The Piano

Miles is playing the piano. Mrs Grose falls asleep, and Flora slips away. The Governess notices Flora’s absence and raises an alarm to search for her.

Flora

Flora is found. The Governess challenges Flora to admit that she sees Miss Jessel. Flora denies everything and accuses the Governess of being cruel.

Miles

Mrs Grose takes Flora away, leaving the Governess alone with Miles. Once again she presses the boy to confess. Miles admits to having stolen the letter. The Governess entreats him to open up to her about Quint.