HAMMER FILMS TAKE TO THE STAGE: THE TURNING OF THE SCREW : JANUARY 2013

British horror brand Hammer is taking its first steps into the world of live theatre in a new stage adaptation of The Turn of the Screw. Rebecca Lenkiewicz's play, based on the classic ghost tale by Henry James, opens in January at London's Almeida theatre. Hammer Theatre of Horror has a co-production credit for the first time. Hammer boss Simon Oakes said it was a "toe in the water" and the company was keen to explore more theatre projects.

Earlier this year Hammer production The Woman In Black, starring Daniel Radcliffe, became the highest-grossing British horror film of the past 20 years.

As well as films, the brand has also branched out into book publishing with recent titles from Jeanette Winterson and Helen Dunmore. Oakes said the new version of The Turn of the Screw was ideal for Hammer Theatre of Horror's inaugural project.

Simon Oakes CEO, Hammer "It's very much at the creative centre of what we're trying to do in the rebooted Hammer," he told the BBC. "It's really a toe in the water. The Hammer name is there as a co-producer [with Act Productions] - it wasn't a project we developed ourselves. "For us it's about understanding the dynamics. The long-term idea is to create shows that can then become content for our film business as well."The Turn of the Screw tells the story of a governess who arrives at a remote estate to care for a nephew and niece after the death of their parents. Published in 1898, the story has been adapted for film, TV, radio and the stage on numerous occasions. The best-known film version is 1961's The Innocents, starring Deborah Kerr and Michael Redgrave.

The cast for the Almeida production, announced on Friday, includes Gemma Jones as the housekeeper Mrs Grose and Anna Madeley as 'The Governess'. The production will be directed by Lindsay Posner, whose recent credits include Uncle Vanya at the Vaudeville Theatre, Abigail's Party for the Menier Chocolate Factory and Noises Off for the Old Vic.

Hammer was founded in the 1930s, though it was not until the 1950s that its name became synonymous with the horror genre. Its run of monster movies included Dracula and The Curse of Frankenstein, which made stars of such British actors as Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing.

After lying dormant since the 1980s, the company and its back catalogue were bought in 2007 by a consortium with Simon Oakes as CEO.

The Turn of the Screw runs at the Almeida from 18 January to 16 March 2013.

THE WOMAN IN BLACK: TOM HARPER TO DIRECT SEQUEL: WILL RADCLIFFE RETURN?

BAFTA NOMINATED DIRECTOR TOM HARPER TO HELM HAMMER’S THE WOMAN IN BLACK: ANGEL OF DEATH 

BAFTA nominated director Tom Harper (The Scouting Book for Boys, Channel 4’s “Misfits”) has signed on to direct The Woman in Black: Angel of Death, the next installment in the series of the worldwide box office hit The Woman In Black.  The announcement was made today by Simon Oakes, President & CEO of Hammer and Vice-Chairman of Exclusive Media, Guy East and Nigel Sinclair, Co-Chairmen of Exclusive Media (Hammer’s parent company), Brian Oliver, President of Cross Creek Pictures and Xavier Marchand Alliance Films’ President of Worldwide Distribution.

The Woman in Black: Angel Of Death will be brought to the big screen by the same production team behind The Woman In Black. The film will be produced by Exclusive Media, Talisman, Cross Creek Pictures and Alliance Films, in addition to Roy Lee who will serve as Executive Producer.

Screenwriter Jon Croker (Desert Dancer) wrote the screenplay, based on an original story by Susan Hill (The Woman in Black).

Alliance Films will co-finance the film.  Tobin Armbrust, Exclusive Media’s President of Worldwide Production and Acquisitions, will again oversee production. Sales are being handled by Alex Walton, Exclusive Media’s President of International Sales and Distribution.  Alliance Films will once again distribute in the UK (Momentum Pictures), Spain (Aurum Producciones) and Canada (Alliance Films).

The Woman in Black: Angel Of Death will continue the story four decades later. Seized by the government during World War II, the sudden arrival of a group of evacuated children at Eel Marsh House awakens its darkest inhabitant.

Simon Oakes, Vice-Chairman of Exclusive Media and President & CEO of Hammer Films said: “We are assembling a terrific team to bring The Woman in Black: Angel of Death to the big screen and Tom is a great addition to that family.  His unique visual approach and storytelling style perfectly compliments the smart, sophisticated horror movies that Hammer is championing.”

Xavier Marchand Alliance Films’ President of Worldwide Distribution and Managing Director of UK distributor Momentum Pictures, said “We know audiences in the UK and across the world love being terrified by The Woman in Black so we’re excited to be partners in bringing them the next episode of Susan Hill’s haunting story, under Tom’s expert direction.”

Director Tom Harper said, “I am thrilled to be a part of The Woman in Black:  Angel of Death.  This will be a great opportunity for me to collaborate with a brilliantly talented team on the next installment in this exciting series.”

The Woman in Black, starring Daniel Radcliffe and directed by James Watkins (Eden Lake) has become the highest grossing British horror film of the past 20 years, grossing over $35 million in the UK and over $130 worldwide.

Tom Harper is repped by Josh Varney at Independent Talent Group in the UK and by WME in the US.