Ken Whitmore’s acclaimed take on Henry James’ novella ‘The Turn of the Screw’ is coming to The Royalty Theatre in Sunderland this late October/early November.

Henry James was known for his long, sprawling novels – and long sprawling sentences – that “went on a bit”. But he also knew how to pen a killer novella too and the most famous of these is the wonderfully creepy and very gothic ‘The Turn of the Screw’. Set in a remote 19th century English manor, it sees a governess arriving, tasked with caring for two children who are all kinds of mysterious. And when eerie figures from the estate’s past begin to appear, the governess questions whether she’s seeing ghosts or losing her mind. Expect chills galore from this classic spook fest.

Turn of the Screw, 28 October-1 November, The Royalty Theatre, Sunderland, 7.30pm, from £8.50, royaltytheatre.co.uk