The Ghost Train

The Ghost Train was written in 1923 by the actor and playwright, Arnold Ridley who in later life, found fame playing the role of Private Godfrey in the BBC sitcom, Dad’s Army.  The story centres around a group of stranded travellers at a lonely, rural railway station.  They are confronted with the unsettling legend of a deadly ghost train that haunts the tracks.  Despite warnings from the station master, advising them to leave, they stay, risking an encounter with the infamous train that brings death to those who see it.

I was pleased, once again, to accept the society’s invitation to their production at the Paget Rooms, Penarth.

The audience were greeted by front of house staff, dressed as train guards, who gave us a briefing before being shown to our ‘carriages’.  A small, but very impressive touch of class that I’ve come to expect from a PODS production.

The main hall was dimly lit to add to the suspenseful nature of the play and the well-constructed set, with several working entrances and exits, allowing the action to flow well throughout.  Impressive projection, lighting and sound work also enhanced the audience’s experience and the society and their production team are to be commended for this.

The cast of ten all worked well together to create a fantastic night’s entertainment for the very appreciative audience.  My congratulations in particular go to Alex Wilson (Saul Hodgkin), Laura Day (Elsie Winthrop), Andrew Moreton (Richard Winthrop), Jacob Griffiths (Charles Murdock) and Joshua Ogle (Teddie Deakin) on giving top class performances.  They were supported well by the rest of the cast.  Well done everyone.

The production was directed by Gray Hill, who was in the director’s chair for the first time with PODS.  I could tell how much work Gray had put into this production.  Well done Gray!

This was a production full of quality, from the moment the doors opened until the final audience member left.  Congratulations PODS: your attention to detail and little nuances didn’t go unnoticed.  I look forward to joining you later in the year for ‘Aladdin and his magic lamp!’

 

The views in this report are solely of the author.

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