Frome Drama Club’s spring production of ‘The Ghost Train’ by Arnold Ridley is hurtling along the tracks at great speed towards the Merlin in April.
The director, Gillie Richardson says, “I can only tell you a certain amount about the plot; the less you know, the more enjoyable it will be. Basically, a group of travellers are hoping to reach Truro before nightfall, when a ‘very silly man’ pulls the communication cord and causes havoc.
“Consequently, a disparate group of very disgruntled passengers have to spend the night in the cold and uncomfortable waiting room of Fal Vale Station in Cornwall.”
Rehearsals are full steam ahead with a great cast – a mix of regulars and newer members.
The ‘very silly man’, Teddie Deakin, is skilfully played by David North who has returned to Frome Drama Club (FDC) after many years’ absence.
Other FDC stalwarts include Lesley Swinburn playing a very frightened ‘maiden lady’ with her parrot, and Philip de Glanville who has handed over his directing baton to play the nervous stationmaster, Saul.
Bethany Heath scarily plays a disturbed young woman; Neil Godwin and Annie Ward are the troubled couple who try to make sense of everything; Django Lewis-Clark (nominated as best young actor in the Somerset Oscars last year) plays a newly married man, and Izzy Brewster is his lovely bride.
Richard Moore, David Gatliffe and Robert Wilson play – but wait – Gillie says, “Now, perhaps I shouldn’t tell you who they are. In fact, the whole cast have been sworn to secrecy about the end of the play. You’ll have to come and see it to find out for yourself!
“Tickets are already selling very well – it promises to be a really entertaining night. And Gillie’s final warning: ‘Be afraid, be very afraid! Well, a bit, anyway.’”
The play will be performed on Thursday 6th, Friday 7th and Saturday 8th April at 7.45pm. Tickets are £10 each (£8 conc.) and available from the theatre on Bath Road on www.merlintheatre.co.uk or 01373 465949