The Ghost Train

What a very appropriate play to visit on Halloween. Written by Arnold Ridley, of Dad’s Army fame in 1923 it delivers a blend of supernatural and comedy. This production successfully delivered both, keeping the spirit of the original play.

It opened to a set accurately built to resemble station waiting room complete with eerie lighting and sound effects. Myself and the audience really appreciated the sound effect when the gas lights were lit.

A larger than life Saul Hodgkin, Station Master (Richard Hunt) was totally believable as being not helpful to the stranded passengers. Richard and Elsie Winthrop, Mill Owner(Dexter Tikadar & Sarah Jane Smith), Charles and Peggy Murdock, Newlyweds (Benjamin Hitchin and Hannah Berry), Miss Bourne (Joanne Edwards) and Parrot which started as a male then laid an egg. Then the cause of their misery Teddie Deakin (Elliot Austin) arrived and things got from bad to worse. I would have strangled him if I had been on the train. All these actors captured their differing characters very well creating a believable dynamic.

A Ghost Story from the Station Master set the scene for a scene of a train crash which happened years before which was re-enacted by extras including the dead bodies of passengers and an appearance of the deceased old Station Master Smith with his red light and singing Rock of Ages.

The plot thickens with the arrival of Julia Price (Paula Dixon) bringing a mystery to the scene, is she a ghost or not. Herbert Price (Jim Butler) and John Sterling (Jeremy Shoesmith) add to the confusion. Jackson (Michelle Andrews) and Smith Richard Holmes)completed the cast.

 Without spoiling the ending I have to congratulate the whole cast on an enjoyable performance, the set  built by Society members Richard Mitchell, Richard and Anthony Goswell. Stage Manager Richard Goswell, Sound and Lighting Glynn Pringle and Stuart Sprowell. Particular praise for the authentic wardrobe by Karen Higgins.

Congratulations to Ian Stead on an excellent Production.

 

Well done to all concerned.

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