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The Turn of the Screw
Details Creatives & Cast Ticket Information
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Benjamin Britten

The Turn of the Screw

29 September – 1 October 2026 Palais Theatre

Sinister forces may – or may not – be lurking.

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Details Creatives & Cast Ticket Information

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.

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Dates, Venue & Info

Palais Theatre
Tickets: $39 – $155

Tuesday 29 September, 7:30pm
Thursday 1 October, 7:30pm

Language
Sung in English

Duration
2 hours and 20 minutes, including interval 

The Turn of the Screw is an original production by State Opera South Australia. By Arrangement with Origin Theatrical. By permission of Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers
PRODUCTION PATRON

We extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to Peter Laver AM.

Creatives & Cast

CREDITS

Composer
Benjamin Britten

Librettist
Myfanwy Piper

Based on the 1898 novella The Turn of the Screw by Henry James

CREATIVE TEAM

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

Ticket Information

Details

Concessions include: Pension and Health Care Card holders, full-time Students, and MEAA members. Companion Card ticketing available.

Other Discounts available: Seniors Card holders, 30yrs & Under, Child (14yrs & Under), and Arts Access Victoria members.

Terms & Conditions

  • All children up to 14 years must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over 18 years.
  • We strongly advise that tickets should only be purchased via authorised ticket sellers. For The Turn of the Screw this includes Ticketmaster, Victorian Opera, Tix.co, and TodayTix. Tickets purchased through unauthorised sellers cannot be guaranteed entrance.
  • Prices are correct at time of publishing and may vary.
  • Subscription discounts are calculated on full-priced tickets.
  • Our Privacy and Ticketing Policies can be found here.

Subscription packages

Subscribe to Season 2026 by purchasing a package of 2 or more performance to receive exclusive benefits, including a 20% discount, priority booking period, and dedicated customer service.

Want to know more? Read our handy Subscriptions FAQ.

Pricing | $35-$124

Price type
Premium
A-Reserve
B-Reserve
C-Reserve
D-Reserve
Adult
$124
$104
$79
$55
$35
Concession
$116
$96
$71
$47
$35
Senior
$120
$100
$75
$51
$35
30yrs & Under
$30
$30
$30
$30
Child (14yrs & Under)
$24
$24
$24
$24
$24
Want to book tickets?
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There are no additional transaction or service charge fees on Subscriptions. Delivery fees apply for post only.

Subscription ticket delivery options:

  • Printed tickets via Australia Post – Standard mail $5.00 / Registered Post $8.00
  • Print-at-Home and eTickets via email are free of charge.

Tickets

Available from Monday 27 October, 10:00am.

Pricing | $39-$155

Price type
Premium
A-Reserve
B-Reserve
C-Reserve
D-Reserve
Adult
$155
$130
$90
$69
$39
Concession
$145
$120
$85
$59
$39
Senior
$150
$125
$90
$64
$39
30yrs & Under
$30
$30
$30
Child (14yrs & Under)
$30
$30
$30
$30
$30
Group (6-9)
$145
$120
$85
$59
$39
Want to book tickets?
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Ticketmaster Fees & Charges: A Ticketmaster handling fee from $7.80 per transaction applies. A delivery fee may apply depending on the mode of delivery selected.

Groups (10+) and Schools

Available from Monday 27 October, 10:00am.

Group (10+) pricing | $39-$131.75

Price type
Premium
A-Reserve
B-Reserve
C-Reserve
D-Reserve
Groups (10+)
$131.75
$110.50
$80.75
$58.65
$39
Want to book tickets?
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How to book for Groups (10+)

  • Purchase for large groups by email or phone our team on (03) 9001 6400 (Option 1).
  • Group (10+) booking can be paid by invoice or credit card.
  • Groups (6-9) can be made via Ticketmaster via the ticketing links above.

School Group pricing | $25

Price type
Premium
A-Reserve
B-Reserve
C-Reserve
D-Reserve
Student
$25
$25
$25
Teacher - 1 free per 10 students
$0
$0
$0
Teacher - Additional
$25
$25
$25
Want to book tickets?
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How to make a School booking

  • Purchase for a school group by email or phone our Education team on (03) 9012 6659.
  • School Groups receive 1 complimentary teacher tickets for every 10 Students booked. Additional teachers can book at Student rate.
  • All performances are accompanied by education resources.

Want to know more about our Education & Pathways programs? You can read more here.

Need Assistance?

Ticket bookings: contact the nominated ticket seller or original point of purchase.

  • Palais Theatre (03) 8537 7677 (Option 1: be directed to a Ticketmaster)
  • If you are unable to contact the ticket seller, phone us on (03) 9001 6400 (Option 1) or email us

Subscriptions: contact us on 1300 822 849 (Monday to Friday, 10:00am – 4:30pm) or email our Subscriptions team.

Health & Safety

If you or a member of your household is unwell or displaying symptoms of a contagious illness before a performance, please stay home and rest.

To exchange or refund your tickets due to illness, contact us prior to your performance via email or phone (03) 9001 6400 (Option 1).

Palais Theatre

Lower Esplanade, St Kilda VIC 3182

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