The Ghost Train

This play, the last of Tynemouth’s season, was a first class ghostly thriller set in the small waiting room of a local station in Cornwall. The last train has gone and six unfortunate passengers are stranded in a station reputed to be haunted and shunned by the locals because of its reputation. When the signal bell rings a train comes through with its whistles blowing. The waiting room is suitably drab with atmospherically drab lighting to complete an excellent picture.

The taciturn Station master, Saul Hodgkin, played by Robin Herron, is adamant that the last train has gone and he “bain’t waiting” – a doleful character indeed. Three passengers arrive immaculately dressed, Julia Price, played by Jo Cosgrove, Herbert Price, played by Mike Davies, and John Sterling, played by Laurence Hughes. The cast portrayed their characters easily, but set the audience the task of deciding where and who they actually are. Elsie Winthrop, played by Michelle Egan, feels that she is trapped in a marriage to a man who thinks she needs protecting. Richard Winthrop, played by George Knox, does look after his wife, but does he have an ulterior motive?

Miss Bourne, played by Thelma Miller, only wants to get on the next train with her parrot to Truro where she lives with her sister. This part was given a lot of comedy by Thelma who is an excellent actress at such character parts. Teddy Deakin, played by Roly Coaster, is a silly though annoyingly funny person, but was not as silly as portrayed. Other characters helped to get the production on track before the final denouement and final revelation that the ghost train was real and running with criminal intent. Effects were excellent – particularly the passing of the train in the middle of the night by the use of well-timed lighting. Two small points – head gear cast a shadow over the face, and I was surprised at the number of prompts for a Friday evening. Nevertheless, it was an excellent production, much enjoyed by the capacity audience.

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