Speaking out on spooks A NEW production of a classic thriller invites audiences to decide whether ghosts exist, with the best arguments winning a chance to be in the theatre company's next published programme.

Henry James's spine-chiller The Turn of the Screw is adapted for the stage by Theatreworks and opens at Lighthouse, Poole's prestigious arts centre, tomorrow.

Set in a brooding country mansion during the Victorian era, it's the story of a young governess appointed to look after two children abandoned in mysterious circumstances by their previous carers Peter Quint and Miss Jessel. The Governess believes that the children are being corrupted by the ghosts of Quint and Jessel but cannot tell whether the ghosts she sees are real or hallucinations.

The governess is played by Leah Bracknell, notorious as the lesbian vet in TV's Emmerdale, alongside a cast of seven and accompanied by a violinist. The production is presented by Theatreworks, a theatre company committed to presenting new interpretations of classic literary works who were last at Poole with their well-received version of Little Women. It is adapted, directed and designed by Ali Gorton.

The Turn of the Screw was published in 1897 and written at a time when Henry James was preoccupied with death and the afterlife because many of his friends had died.

When the book was published Freud had just started writing about psychoanalysis and James's own brother William, a psychologist, had also published works on spiritual phenomena.

The film The Others, starring Nicole Kidman, was based on The Turn of the Screw.

Turn of the Screw is at Lighthouse in Poole from tomorrow until Saturday, May 24 with performances at 7.30pm and 2.30pm matinees on Wednesday and Saturday. Tickets cost £15.50 for the evening shows, £10.50 for matinees.

Audiences will be invited to debate with the company after the show whether the ghosts are real and submit their arguments for inclusion in the next printed programme.

To find out which nights the debates take place and to book your seats, visit the website on lighthousepoole.co.uk or phone the ticket office on 0844 406 8666.