Ghost Train

The Ghost Train, is a comedy thriller , Written about 100 years ago by Arnold Ridley, who became famous 50 years later for playing “Godfrey” in “Dads Army”

I saw it performed many years ago and  I felt that production I saw then, was rather old fashioned, very slow and heavy going. Therefore I thought  it was rather strange to see that it has been performed in the region, several times with in the last few months .

I could not remember the plot of the play and I have to say pleasantly surprised by this wonderful and very enjoyable production by Ferndown Drama. 

The story centres around a group of passengers who have been stranded overnight at a remote railway station

I thought that the excellent Station master was superb as he told the story of the “Ghost Train” in an attempt to persuade passengers to leave the station. Alas they did not leave and the tension builds until with very good use of special effects the ghost train appears at the end of the act. 

In the second act the plot changes into a spy thriller, when it is revealed that Communist revolutionaries  are using a real train too smuggle arms, and the “Ghost Train” story has been concocted keep potential witnesses away.

I thought that it was a well-balanced cast and that each member od the cast had mastered their individual characters . Yes, there was some hesitation in the delivery of lines and a few prompts in the first act but it did not spoil the overall effect

 I was very impressed the performer playing Teddie Deakin as he total changed his character when he reveal himself to be the British agent as he took command of the situation in the second act

The special effects all seemed to work well and the set looked very impressive even thought we could see the black tabs across the back of the stage.

I did think that the director had found all the comedy in the dated script and I found myself laughing out loud in many places.

 Thank you to Ferndown Drama for showing me what a very good play “Ghost Train “ can been with a good  production team at the helm.  It was a very enjoyable evening, my congratulations go to all concerned

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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