The Ghost Train

The 1920s tone was set before the curtain went up with popular music of the age played in the right idiom by Derek Sutton on the piano. Then Anthony Mason, the director, stepped in front of the curtains, reminded us it was customary in those days to sing the National Anthem before a performance and then asked us to sing 'God Save the King'.


The set design superbly evoked the atmosphere of a dingy and unadorned country station waiting room. Into this depressing place arrive two married couples, an elderly spinster and a silly ass. If you remember Gussie Fink-Nottle in the Jeeves sagas, you will have some idea of the braying nitwit that Anthony Mason brilliantly brought to this role. The old lady was played by Raynor Hendon-Bragg, a young woman but so convincing I was often reminded of my own aged relatives. Colin Budgey, as the stationmaster, brought the right touch of British Rail customer care with his brusque, miserable, take-it-or-leave-it attitude.


The denouement of the play is now rather dated and just seems funny to modern tastes. The company coped with it well and brought a most enjoyable show to a satisfying conclusion.


Submitted to Maldon & Burnham, Weekly News and The Essex Chronicle.