The Titfield Thunderbolt

Just the name “The Titfield Thunderbolt” immediately evokes many fond memories of the Ealing Comedies, those black and white films produced between 1947 and 1957, reflecting the post-war British spirit. This feeling was enhanced by the period radio theme tunes playing in the hall as we settled into our seats. You could just feel we were in for a real treat, and we were not disappointed!

When it is announced that their railway branch line is to be closed, the local people, led by the train-enthusiast vicar and the Lady of the Manor, immediately leap into action, deciding to keep it alive by buying it and running it themselves. They face opposition from the local wide-boy, who intends to offer an alternative bus service using the rather dubious vehicle he has just bought. It would be hard to find a story any more quintessentially English: the little people battling bureaucracy with everything set against them. Will they succeed? Of course they will!

With a show that is going to a new location every night, you need a minimal set, and that’s exactly what the “Set Realisation” team (Martin, Miri, Mary, Kat and Laura) have produced. Every piece of furniture, sign and prop was exactly right and all that was needed was our imagination to conjure up two steam locomotives, a steam roller, two stations, a pub and a vicarage. This was helped along by the sound effects team (Robert, Miri, Kaye, Kate and more) sitting at a table at the back of the stage producing a marvellous array of most realistic and amusing effects, very much as is done for radio plays. Lighting (Roger Niven) was effective and used to punctuate the numerous scenes.

Director Laura Sheppard has chosen a great cast, most of whom took on at least two roles. Karina Neeson seemed born to the role of Lady Edna, frightfully county, don’t you know. She ably led the cast through all their trials and tribulations, along with Kat Wootton as the vicar, Sam Weech. Kat looked and sounded every inch the timid country vicar who loves steam engines. Kat later transformed into the corrupt and pernickety town clerk Mr Blakeworth. Zoe Maddison was also excellent as vicar’s niece Joan, providing the love interest that tempts Harry Crump away from his good for nothing father Vernon – a role played with a knowing smirk and a good deal of relish by Steve Cliff. Jack May made a highly believable Harry Crump – steamroller driver, torn between his love for Joan and loyalty to his father. He doubled up as Police Sergeant Wilson, with an unreliable moustache which caused great amusement, and many jokes about not being on stage at the same time as Harry. Joff Lacey was convincing as Mr Valentine, a slightly disreputable bar fly who came good in the end and doubled up well as the punctilious railway inspector. Kate Gardner was marvellous as the inquiry chairman Mr Ruddock. Mary Carmichael was resplendent in scarlet as Miss Coggett (with a great Welsh accent), doubling up as Clifton and very gamely standing in for Martin Hogg (Dan the engineer) who injured himself in Act 1. She hardly needed the script – well done. The cast was completed by Miri Rose (Mrs Bottomley), Norman Stewart and Faye Thompson.

I loved the directorial touches that Laura Sheppard has added, like the effects of the train moving out of the station and past the countryside; people holding up and reading signs and being a wall with a picture hanging on it (and getting tired of doing it). Also involving the audience in the business of filling the train up with water – where did you find so many varied and odd receptacles? Everywhere you looked there was something going on in the background – I think I’d need to see every performance to capture everything! Costumes (Claudia and Zoe) throughout were excellent, looking just right for the period, in fact the amount of attention to detail you have lavished on every aspect of this show is outstanding.

What a tremendous show this was! Obviously very well-rehearsed, to get all those details right, full of humour and a joy to be part of.

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