The Titfield Thunderbolt

What a fabulous play, full of fun, wit and topical jibes. Despite its origins in the early 1950s it was remarkably relevant and the “good old” Ealing style was thoroughly amusing to the audience. The organisation of the various roles provided extra enjoyment especially towards the end when the denouement nearly ran out of actors to complete the final twists.

The Director’s decision to remain firmly in the early 1950s worked extremely well allowing him to make the most of the script and for the actors to play the beautifully stereo-typical characters with great fun. This script certainly required declaiming and got the full treatment from the actors. Articulation was excellent throughout with every line given full measure. The story was clearly told with every actor giving complete commitment. Naturally this style leads to some stilted delivery but this was perfectly acceptable for this type of production. The introduction made all clear to the audience, and set everything firmly in the fifties aided by the wonderful choice of music. Many of the audience were whisked back to those wonderful evenings listening to the wireless in front of a roaring fire.

All the actors were successful at portraying their various characters and in many cases it was easy to forget that they were the same actor that we had just seen as someone else. Goulding’s amusing references to the other character being played by an actor were most entertaining and kept the audience ahead of the game. It was most praiseworthy that everyone managed to create such differing characters and maintain them so efficiently. 

Once or twice the pace dropped with the pick up of lines slightly hesitant or the move on to the next scene slightly pedestrian. This was a good fault for it ensured that there was no faltering and the whole presentation came across as controlled and “easy”. The inclusion of the audience at various moments was beautifully played by all the actors and thoroughly enjoyed by the “first timers” sitting next to me. The water collection could have been chaotic but was well organised and just long enough to be fully amusing. The train versus the omnibus worked very well. A more vociferous audience might have joined in more vocally.

The delightful pieces of set worked very well with all the situations being clear and the charm of the book illustration style proving most suitable. The use of the silhouette scenes was most effective and the night scene with Valentine disguised as Vernon working perfectly. Naturally everyone waited with baited breath for the appearance of the Thunderbolt. When it did appear, it was excellently handled. The combination of the steam and the most appropriate lighting was most effective. It was certainly worth the waiting for. 

The general ambiance of the presentation was thoroughly excellent and the realisation of the play most enjoyable. It was almost faultlessly and most genuinely presented.

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