All Aboard! for the Waveney Valley Line

Having an interest in my own area, of the history and sad demise of so many beautiful branch lines in the 1950’s, I was really looking forward to this production. The amount of work and research that went into it, from the creative and imaginative writing of Eileen Ryan, to the formidable cast that had been assembled, which was at least two years in the making, had an amazing local feel about it and was fascinating to watch from start to finish. Located within a marquee within the grounds of the Hockey Club, raised seating had been transported to the venue, and the audience were seated either side of the performers in the centre, and the performers had 4 entrances and exits to use. This enabled slick transitions from scene to scene as the play moved through the decades.

The set consisted of the station master’s office to one side, and living accommodation on the other, both had been very well dressed and worked very well during the scene transitions. The show opened with the whole cast entering as an introduction, dressed as the characters and clothing of the era that spanned the period between when the Waveney Valley Railway Act on 3 July 1851 was enacted to build the railway line, to its demise and eventual closure in the 60’s.

A series of scenes then unfolded, each set during key periods in the railway’s history. These depicted discussions over access across farmers’ land, efforts to secure funding, and the close-knit community that lived and worked within the railway “family” across multiple generations. Narrating throughout the production as Station Master James Stone, Matthew Townshend delivered a superb performance, holding the audience’s attention from start to finish while confidently handling an extensive amount of dialogue.

I also enjoyed the original acapella harmonised singing about the Waveney Line that had been woven into the play at various stages. There were also some very touching moments throughout, in particular during the sections when both world wars were taking place, and the importance at that time of the railways in keeping the country running. Especially poignant was the reading of all the local railway workers that gave their lives during the Great War, and the devastating effect that had on the community.

The remaining cast played multiple roles, sometimes walking off as one character, and returning almost immediately as another. All of them were convincing in their respective roles, and the teamwork amongst the cast was the prominent feature that made this production so engaging to watch.

This was such a lovely evening, and the depth of talent that Harleston Players have amongst both their adult and youth performers that was on display, is a testament to this thriving community theatre group.

Thank you to all at Harleston Players for the invitation and well done to everyone involved.  

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