Gwili Steam Railway, Carmarthen, is joining forces with actorsworkshop to present two performances of Arnold Ridley's famous play "The Ghost Train", which is set in the 1930s, and which was also turned into a classic black and white film.The play's performances will take place on the evenings of Saturday, October 26 and Sunday, October 27. Arnold Ridley himself is best known for his portrayal of Private Godfrey in BBC TV's series "Dad's Army".
The play tells the story of a group of passengers who get stranded overnight at a remote railway station, only to discover that it is apparently haunted. Tales of accidents and ghosts keep them on their toes, with vanishing dead bodies, failing gas lights and the appearance of a ghostly stationmaster and a ghost train adding to the suspense. Unlike other stage productions, the play will feature a real steam train, in the eerie darkness of one of Gwili's remote branch line stations.
Rob James, who is himself a Gwili Railway volunteer, is the play's producer and in his words: "The setting for the play is perfect and I know the volunteers will enjoy taking part in the show as much as the actors themselves. Many famous companies have performed this play, but few, if any, have had a real steam train at their disposal! We are all extremely pleased to be able to work with the Gwili to create a show which will be a piece of unique and not to be missed theatre".
The performances will be outdoors under cover, so audiences will need to wrap up warm. At only £10 a head, which includes a steam train ride, tickets are a real bargain. Hot refreshments and bar facilities will be available to help the evening go with a swing.
As an added bonus, the trains will be hauled by a famous ex-Great Western railway steam engine, which will be visiting the Gwili Railway during the schools' half-term week. "No. 1420" was one of a class of tank engines, one of which was the star of the film "The Titfield Thunderbolt", which were once a familiar sight on the branch lines of South and West Wales. Having been recently overhauled, 1420 will be resplendent in its green livery and shining brasswork.
Tickets for the performances are available from the special events booking office - 01656 663925, or booking forms can be obtained by logging onto http://www.actorsworkshop.co.uk">www.actorsworkshop.co.uk <http://www.actorsworkshop.co.uk">http://www.actorsworkshop.co.uk