The Ghost Train

I was so pleased you were able to add the extra night which enabled me to get  back from Holiday and still get to see The Wayfarers Drama Group, having  originally thought I’d have to miss it. It was not a play I knew much about but just  from your advertisements on Facebook I knew this was going to be right up my  street.  

The story centres upon the social interaction of a group of railway passengers who  have been stranded at a remote rural station overnight, and are increasingly  threatened by a latent external force, with a dramatic twist in the tale ending.  

Ok so it was written in 1927, and I believe some slight adaptions to the play had  been made along the way, but even so the play was definitely a bit creaky at times.  I feel that to succeed this has to have good skilled actors that play their parts with  reality, and I must say this was a first rate cast. It could so easily have turned on its  head and gone down the more slapstick over the top kind of way to get more  laughs, but I loved the tension that was built right from the off and was so pleased  the director chose this path rather than the other.  

From the moment Saul appeared in character to remind us of our theatre etiquette  the atmosphere was created. I understand there were a couple of small issues with  lights at the beginning. Thankfully the professionalism of your lighting technician  soon got us out of the dark and apart from some slightly shadowy places down  stage right (which I thought all added to the atmosphere), you were up and  running.  

The Set  

This was well designed. It absolutely felt like an out of the way waiting room at a  small railway station. It was certainly solid with seating in just the right places and  moveable chairs to give variety of shaping during some of the scenes. Hats off to  the team for this. Just perfect in your performing space.  

Sound and Lighting  

I’m still finding myself singing Tip Toe Through The Tulips so thanks for that ear  worm!!  

Sound effects of the train arriving and the intermittent storm outside were just right  and timed brilliantly. The lighting effects certainly added to the drama especially  act 2 finale I actually jumped in my seat on more than one occasion. 

Saul Hodgkin  

You drew us right into the story from the off. Even though the opening speech was  slightly tongue in cheek you created a great character which was sustained all the  way through. Good timing and costume perfect. Nicely acted all round thought  through performance. Well done.  

Richard and Elsie Winthrop  

This was a great couple casting. The bickering all through felt very natural and  some great facial expressions from Elsie led us to understand exactly your  situation. Elsie reminded me of a young Felicity Kendal. Both had good comic  timing when needed, but both kept the tension and drama throughout the play.  Well acted. Good job.  

Charles and Peggy Murdock  

Again another great pairing. A great contrast to the Winthrop’s. We could really  believe you were newly wed and slightly naive. Two strong actors with Charles  always wanting to be protective of Peggy. I loved how you both always seemed to  come together during the dramatic tense moments.  

Very believable coupling. Well done.  

Miss Bourne  

Another lovely performance from this actress. I’m not sure if Margaret Rutherford  was your inspiration here but if she was you nailed it. Great comic timing and  always slick delivery. Well done on lying down unmoving for a lot of the play that  can’t have been easy! Again your character added to the drama as well as those  lovely one liners. Congratulations.  

Teddie Deakin  

First we meet the larger than life character that seems to be there to just wind  everyone up and be totally annoying! Then the twist in the plot your now the  detective who gets his criminals. Well done on both counts. Very convincing. Good  timing and diction. Really enjoyable. Well done.  

Julia Price  

You are fast becoming a great actress. You were extremely believable as the  vulnerable Julia. Fooled us all. I had no idea where the story was going to go at all.  You gave nothing away. And an extremely good contrast on your change of  character. I enjoyed your performances very much. Just a little note not just for you  but everyone when seated sideways onto the stage be aware of diction and  projection. Even in small venues the sound does travel in the direction you are  facing. As an audience a few lines were missed. Musicals don’t have this problem  as they are mic’d but in plays we have to rely on good old fashioned projection. 

John Sterling  

Again a character of two halves. Certainly looked the part. Very smart in you dinner  suit. I did feel you were sometimes searching for the lines - just a couple of rabbit  in the headlights moments, but you certainly brought a degree of menace to the  plot and a good switch of character when caught out. It’s not easy being one of  the last characters to appear, a lot of time for nerves to creep up on you. But over  all a good job done.  

Jackson/ Ben Isaacs  

You both certainly added your skills to this production, just the right amount of  spookiness during your scenes. Great make up and I’m sure you were both just as  valuable off stage. Well done guys.  

Direction  

I’m never ceased to be amazed how on such a small space as Theatre In The Hut  the director can direct 11 people and at no time did I think the blocking looked  messy or characters being hidden behind other characters. I take my hat off to you  as I thought this play was extremely well directed.  

There is no doubt this is a bit of a creaky old play but you managed so well to keep  the drama going and the pace was excellent. Every bit of the set was used to the  full and you kept the characters interesting throughout and just the right amount of  lighting and sound effects to keep us as an audience interested and I must say I  jumped more than once!!  

Already looking forward to your next venture. Congratulations.  

Thanks once again for a very warm welcome from Stephen and Liz and all the front  of house team. This really is community theatre at its best. Very, very enjoyable.  

Kind regards 

Mike.

 

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