The Ghost Train by Arnold Ridley

It was a feeling of warmth arriving from the miserable weather outside into the home of The Fairlight Players on my first visit to my newest member of District 3 of NODA South East. Having collected our disguised railway tickets, programme, met a familiar face, Margaret, introduced myself to Secretary Carol, we purchased raffles, viewed cast photos, and took our central seats in what looked like a full house in anticipation of being spooked!

A classic play, with much amusing action and Fairlight Players did it justice not only in performance but with the ‘attention to detail set’ and technical effects.

Action commenced late one winter’s evening when a group of unsuspecting passengers find themselves stranded at a remote country railway station in Cornwall.  A mixed group – a newly married couple, a tee-total elderly spinster with her beloved parrot Joey –  a well-healed couple having marital difficulties, a young frightfully well-spoken ass who has stopped the train and created this situation. The ladies are distraught. The local stationmaster frightens them with tales of a terrible rail crash, bodies and ghosts!  With doors locking and unlocking, a disappearing body and the appearance of a young lady seemingly in distress, followed by a suspicious gentlemen in evening dress, the plot thickens. Then characters reveal themselves and we have an undercover agent working with the police and a gun running gang thwarted and captured.  Miss Bourne having taken an earlier brandy draft to sooth her nerves, missing much of the fun sleeping in the corner and all ends happily.

The station waiting room was particularly well designed, built and painted by Trevor Lewing and his team, with Jenny Turner responsible for set dressing and props.  Great attention was paid with railway posters, an excellent ticket hatch comically used, the clock using the correct times, notice of rules, doors that opened and closed with ease, a good exterior in the form of the pointed fencing and not completely visible station sign.  Window panels effective on breakage. Interior furniture of benches perfect with the station fireplace and gas lamp.

Costumes appropriate to the period were well thought out, two gentlemen in suits, waistcoat and pocket watch. Miss Bourne attired in black, with a splendid pull on hat with large brooch and was attached to a large carpet bag where I suspect she hid her knitting! Both young marrieds smart coats and cloche hats of the period.  Shoes matched. Striped blazer, flannels and boater typified our deceptive special agent, whilst the gangsters and moll were all in black evening dress.

Sound, lighting and effects were first class - timing outside noises, when doors opened, the coloured lanterns, the inclement weather, and approaching train.

Interpretations of characters was thorough, with an excellent Cornish accent from Roland Garrad as Saul. Teddie Deakin kept up the pretence of being a silly ass with much speed and conviction. Couples were well matched, with new member Jake Huggett and Vicki Veness as the delightful newly-weds and rekindling Winthrops nicely performed by Tom Miller and Aisling Edie. Two gentlemen baddies, Peter Spencer and Steve Hill were suitably menacing, whilst newcomer Amber Rampling carried off her duplicity as American Julia with aplomb. Apprehending them was creative Director David Burchell and his assistant Smith, namely Ollie Spencer.

The star turn was Judy Welsh as Miss Bourne – her timing perfect, her indignation, her facial expressions and her intoxication with interaction with the fox fur great.

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