The Ghost Train

THE GHOST TRAIN (Revised) by Arnold Ridley, adapted by Jocelyn and Nicholas Ridley is a well plotted thriller and occasional comedy which tells the story over one night, when a group of strangers are stranded at a deserted and, possibly, haunted railway station.   

The set was an authentic looking, old, rather tired looking waiting room of a railway station.    It was a simple set, neat with good attention to detail including a working hatch revealing a ticket office, period light fittings door to the platform and two small aprons either side extending the stage.    There were basic benches, chairs and tables which were effectively used maximising the space. The props were good and well sourced and included a fireside companion set, gun, pinboards and personal props such as handbags, pocket watch, walking stick etc

The costumes, hair and make up were fantastic and in keeping with the period.  The cast were all neat; ladies in smart dresses and fur in some form or other – a stole, a coat or jacket.  The men smart in their suits and uniforms for the railway staff.    

The lighting and sound were excellent and ranged from the use of lights for the ghostly lantern and the train, to the various sound effects and lighting for the train passing through which was very clever and effective.

The production was of the highest standard with an engaging cast who were well rehearsed and confident, enabling their characters to be convincing; Dave Towns as Teddie Deakin filled the stage with his  bumptiousness and habit of pointless stories which often had no end.     Sue Sampson clearly relished the role of Miss Bourne,  and showed great comedic skills as she slid from uptight spinster to happy, tipsy women with the aid of a flask of whisky and declared she was “not neglected in my youth!” There were two couples; one warring and the other their honeymoon but both couples had their ups and downs.    Greg Shaw as the station master, Saul Hodgin did well as the main ‘narrator’ who had the task of telling the stranded group (as well as us) why the station was supposedly haunted.     In this updated version, the reason for the tale of the ‘ghost train’ was revealed to be practical rather than ethereal  – criminals on a money making scheme involving arms.   This was a solid production, capably directed by Eleanor Bradbury and with all the ingredients necessary for a first class show: cast, crew, set, props and most of all – a great story with an ending I hadn’t predicted.

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