The Ghost Train

Some plays stand the test of time and other do not. I have to say that The Ghost Train written by actor Arnold Ridley of Dad’s Army fame certainly was a stroke of genius as he was stranded on a platform one night which gave him the idea for the play. It was written in a week in 1923, remarkable.  As the story unfolds it’s clear to see it is a well thought out plot. The play was also turned into a film and lots of other films based on the plot idea. It does stand the test of time.

As you enter the auditorium sound effects of steam and trains are heard setting the scene instantly. The set is the waiting room of a remote station in Cornwall called Fal Vale. With half glass door into the waiting room Back Centre Stage and door Stage Right. The centre door had two windows either side with clock above the door. The colours of beige and green on the wall with brown dado rail give it a 1920’s feel. Also added was the brick work showing the effect of the paint peeled off. With gas wall lights and various appropriate wall hangings including one for an Oxo advert.  Two waiting room benches either side of the entrance door. Stage Left a fire place with two chairs. Stage Right a table with chairs and also Stage Right a ticket office with hatch and small wooden balustrade. A wooden hat stand was Stage Left. Set Builders Jeff Lunt, Steve Butler, Helen Livesey, Jolyon Coombs, Sarah Khameeree, Andrew Gradwell, Ahmed Sadeghi and Peter Beckett.

Lighting and Sound all added to the production to give an atmospheric feel. Lighting Peter Gower and John Lyon. Sound Jim Walton and John Lyon. Props all in keeping even down to the gas lamp and parrot cage. Props by Viv Bloomfield, Dorothy Green and Kath Cheetham. Make up looked unobtrusive as it should do. Hair - I did think Elise Winthrop’s hair was a touch too modern - maybe a hat or low hair net at the back would have helped. Costume was all in keeping and the character Teddy Deakin looked splendid in his plus fours and monocle as did Miss Bourne. Wardrobe Janet Hardman.

Carol H. Butler directs the play and staging was good and full use of the acting area was utilised. Some good tableaux with actors and loved the freeze at the end of act one. I even liked how people sat on the bench when Miss Bourne was a sleep on it giving it a natural feel.  Carol had some nice little touches added into the script. I thought the RP accents were very good. It was evident the cast were having a great time portraying the characters. BSL Signer was Cheryl Walker. 

Stage manager and playing Jackson a Police Constable was James Casterton. Charlotte Carlin played Elsie Winthrop and her Husband was Richard Winthrop played by Craig Harris. The couple having trouble with their marriage and the strange goings on bring them closer together.

Sue Mallett as Julia Price the deceiver (spy) giving us an r.p. and an American accent – well done. Jim Smith as John Stirling again deceiving us into his true identity -  I did think Jim as a little nervous at first. Margaret Marks as Miss Bourne who says she doesn’t drink but had no qualms in finishing off a flask of brandy then spending the rest of the play asleep on the bench. Hilarious.

Wendy Wilson as Peggy Murdoch and Joe Beck playing Charles Murdoch were a believable couple and great casting. The newlyweds having their first night together with perfect strangers and in waiting room of all places. Joe played the caring fiancé well and they worked well together as a couple. Peter Scofield playing Saul Hodgkin. Spot on accent and character. The story about the supernatural danger of a spectral passenger train was told well to warn the passengers away. Great character.

And last but not least is Nicolas Eccles playing Teddy Deakins. Knowing this play it is testament to the actor that I forgot the twist at the end. Teddy Deakins was so over the top and annoying to the other passengers in his plus fours outfit and exaggerated character, you could imagine him pulling the emergency cord on the train. His almost childlike behaviour when he would not leave the waiting room despite several attempts to coax him was absolutely ‘spiffing.’ Done with great energy it was needed with the interaction with all the other characters playing a cross-section of society. Excellent Character.

Thank you, Bolton Little Theatre for the invite and hospitality from my guest Angela and I. I am sure Arnold Ridley would have liked this interpretation.

Liz Hume-Dawson

District 5

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