The Titfield Thunderbolt

The Residents of Titfield are up in arms when they hear the news that their local branch railway line is to close. They eventually conclude there is no alternative but to run the line themselves, before a new local bus company sets up in potential opposition. Financial backing is obtained from a wealthy lifetime gin drinker, once he realises the train will have an ‘out of hours’ bar, but the obstructive antics of the bus company owner unfold with some hilarious moments, that almost thwart local authority approval.

I would say staging this production is not for the faint hearted and the Director Glynis Smith, production team and cast are to be congratulated on making it work. There were some demanding roles, in three instances several  of them played by the same individuals, but a central character and pioneer of the survival committee was a convincing ‘Lady Edna Chesterford’ (Teresa Freshwater) playing ‘her ladyship’ with panache and humour.

In cahoots with ‘Lady Chesterford’ was ‘Sam Weech’ (Chris Hall) the local vicar and lifelong train enthusiast, who very effectively doubled as the Town Clerk ‘Blakeworth’. Meanwhile ‘Vernon Crump’ (Alan Wollaston), gave an excellent portrayal of the up to no good coach operator. His son ‘Harry’ (Steve Carley) was equally effective and convincing in this and his other two roles of ‘Dan’ the poacher and ‘Sergeant Wilson’ with some very funny dialogue when it was physically impracticable to  be in two places (roles)  at the same time.

It was good to see David Hatfield back on stage as the wealthy ‘Mr Valentine’, fresh faced and articulate (hasn’t changed a bit since I was in panto with him 40 years ago).  I also liked the presence and clarity of Amelia Willetts as ‘Joan Weech’.  James Cowlishaw was the perfect inspector from the Ministry of Transport ‘Mr Ruddock’.

There are moments when it is easy to reduce the volume of dialogue to a conversational level and best avoided even in the intimate setting of the Norbury, but this did not impact the overall production. The set was very effective and the final construction of the train from much of the existing set from previous scenes, a triumph. Congratulations to everyone involved and arriving at their destination almost on time!

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