The Ghost Train

Arnold Ridley of Dad’s Army fame wrote this play in 1923. It ran for over a year in London and is now considered a minor modern classic. He was inspired to write the play after he became stranded overnight  at a railway station.

In the 1920s, six passengers are stranded in a stark railway station waiting room in Fal Vale, Cornwall. Their train stopped abruptly, causing them to miss their connection. The Stationmaster recounts the tale of a ghostly train that haunts the station and kills those who see it. Initially dismissive, the group begins to question their scepticism as strange events unfold. Ridley's comedic thriller features implausible twists, including a disappearing corpse, a runaway mental patient, and a mysterious passenger, adding layers of farce to the night of horrors and strange twists. 

What a lovely set depicting this gloomy waiting room with just some seating, a table and even a real looking coal stove which glowed. Throughout you could hear the sound of rain with thunder and lightning creating the eerie atmosphere. Ghostly train lights could be seen passing the windows – a clever effect. Costumes were good and in keeping with the 1920’s, even down to the shoes. The special effect lighting was faultless.

Enter the station master Saul Hodgkin (Peter Emmanuel)  whose lovely Cornish accent told the tale of the Ghost Train. Chris Howland and Anna Wood played newlyweds Charles and Peggy Murdock, doomed to spend their wedding night in this dingy waiting room with strangers. A lovely pairing supporting each other throughout. Then we had the arguing couple Richard and Elsie Winthrop good onstage chemistry by David Smith and Jean Erxleben. Spinster Miss Bourne (Mary Ann Faure-Walker) came to life after a drink but then spent the rest of the time asleep but how funny when she awoke at the end thinking nothing had happened. Andrew Kuipers portrayed Teddy Deakin as a comically irritating Englishman, later revealed to be an undercover detective. He fully embodied the role, showcasing excellent comic timing and physicality. The transformation from silly to efficient was well executed. Grace-May Turner played a convincing Julia Price as she warned the passengers of the dangers they were to face. She captivated us with her performance, flawlessly transforming from a haunted woman into an East End gangster. Michael Sutherland convincingly portrayed the deceitful psychiatrist John Sterling, who struggled to clear the waiting room before revealing himself as an arms smuggler. Nimueh Ferdinando had a brief but impactful role as Jackson, arresting the villains.

Sandra Barfield's direction and an excellent cast kept the audience intrigued. Another TTC success.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.