Original Story: Charles Dickens
Director: Jennie-Mae James
Reviewer: Christine Stanton
“Loses Steam”
2.5 / 5
Ghostly Christmas tales are a staple – and Charles Dickens’ classic The Signalman is perfectly suited with its eerie Victorian-age story. Though this particular train doesn’t build up quite enough steam to be truly haunting.
The narrative focuses on a lonely Signalman (Peter Rae), posted up at a station with very few visitors during his long, quiet shifts. He fills his days with learning Spanish and attempting to improve his algebra, though after a tragic rail accident, he’s never quite been the same, hearing voices and seeing things that aren’t really there. He confides in a Visitor (Helen Bang) who is fascinated by the railway, but concerned about his claims of the paranormal. Are his supernatural encounters just a figment of his imagination or are they truly a message from the other side?
Running at only 50 minutes long, having a break after 30 minutes completely flattens the tension. The moment the suspense has built and the storyline starts to really grip, it’s put on pause for a 10 minute interval, before an even shorter 20 minute second half. Within each half there’s also quite a lot of scene resets, which further slow down the storyline. Allowing the show to run straight through would definitely help the haunting aspects of the production to land better and strengthen the atmosphere. Steve Ramondt’s surround sound design is excellently immersive – from the faint, ghostly whispers, to the powerfully loud steam train sound effects, it really helps to draw the audience in. This is further elevated by Karen Holley’s intricately detailed set design, that immediately sets the scene; the crunching gravel on the tracks, ominous train tunnel and cozy restaurant interior all adding brilliantly realistic location signifiers throughout the show.
The frequent train delays and disruptions on UK’s railways are definitely currently more terror-inducing than this production. That being said, the material is there, it just needs some small alterations to get it back on track and really deliver a festive fright.
Runs until 2nd January 2025
RatedReviewed 
I was hoping for more with this Classic Play. It was a small space and the scene changes were slightly chaotic. The Play was only 50 minutes long and yet there was an unnecessary 10 minute interval, which came at a crucial part and so lost the momentum.
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