The Ghost Train, Little Little English Theatre Company, Palace Theatre
ARNOLD Ridley’s hit play was brought dazzlingly to life in this superb production which was just perfect for the intimate surroundings of the Palace.
The play tells the tale of a group of train passengers who find themselves stranded at the deserted and run down railway station of Fal Vale.
While forced to wait for the morning train the group are warned not to stay at the station overnight by the station master, Saul (Greg Hobbs), who tells them of the ghostly happenings there.
As the curtain rose, smoke came creeping in through the windows of the waiting room, while the sound of a train approaching immediately set the creepy atmosphere.
But while the company delivered tension by the bucketful plenty of comic relief ensured the audience would not go home looking over their shoulders.
Hobb’s telling of Saul’s ghost train story had the audience on the edge of their seats, as they jumped and gasped along with the actors on stage.
Even letting the audience see the ghostly lantern before the characters did not stop Elsie’s (Tamsin Hunt) scream from making show-goers jump out of their seats.
Director Ellie Darvill gave a stand out performance as Miss Bourne, from the second she walked on stage.
Her comic timing helped ease the tense atmosphere, as did her hilarious drunken acting.
Nathan Blyth as Teddie was brilliantly over the top, driving the other characters mad but forcing the audience to fall in love with his odd demeanor.
Both Blyth and Ashleigh Aston (Julia) pulled off their double agent roles with ease, not once letting the audience in on their secret.
Meanwhile While, Tamsin Hunt and Lisa McKinley’s (Peggy) perfectly walked the fine line between comedy and thriller.
The cast had their audience laughing and gasping at all the right moments and did more than justice to this masterpiece.
Elinor Joinson
