Moulton Players Present 'The Ghost Train'

A chance meeting with 'Max Troy' the Theatre Director led to me getting a part in 'The Ghost Train'. To say I was reluctant would be an understatement. I hadn't done anything since pre Covid times. 

Taking on any role requires a large commitment and dedication. However Mr Troy can be quite persuasive explaining that it was a small part and would get me back into the swing of things.

I was vaguely familiar with the play if not the plot. Probably because I knew it had been written by Arnold Ridley of 'Dad's Army fame playing 'Private Godfrey'. After a series of setbacks and disappointments in his early acting career he started writing plays. The GT being the first and enjoyed great success in London's West End and beyond. More than 30 other plays were to follow! 

 Arnold Ridley was awarded an OBE in1982.

Things started to get a bit more serious on May 24th when the performers met for a 'Read through'. It is a quick turnaround as the previous play 'See How They Run' has only just finished. There will be around 6 weeks to get ready for the opening night on July 11th. 

The Theatre at Moulton aim to deliver 5 shows a year to the local community. The GT is a Drama  in three Acts.    
My character 'Jackson' doesn't make an appearance until well into Act 3.Originally I was under the impression that he was a traditional style Policeman. This would change as we get nearer to the full dress rehearsal. 

I must admit to struggling a bit to work out the plot line. The classic dram is set in 1925. A silly young man pulls the emergency chord and strands six other passengers at a remote Cornish Station. Despite the Stationmaster's  tales of hauntings and bizarre goings on they decide to stay the night in the Waiting Room. It is only then that other characters are introduced and the real truth is revealed.

The production is directed by Matt Gundel (Pictured left), his third at Moulton Theatre. In next to no time the stage has been transformed into a very convincing Station Waiting Room. Being an old Methodist Church the stage isn't very big, so there are many limitations.

I haven't got that many lines, what is more confusing though are the entrances and exits. More importantly getting the timing right of when to come in and when to leave! 

Things do start to make more sense when rehearsals start to vamp up. I don't need to attend all of them as I'm only involved in Act 3. 

Unfortunately most of my rehearsals seem to coincide with matches in the T20 Blast at the County Ground. There is also the odd false start too, when things over run and I don't get to do my scenes. 

This is pretty frustrating but that's showbiz I guess? It isn't all glamour and wine and Roses. Patience is key and you move on to the next time.

The first week in July brings three full rehearsals midweek. Followed by a full dress rehearsal on the Sunday. Some of the cast are already starting to add bits of their costume to their performance. 

This is the point that I find out that I am actually a 'Secret Service' Agent and not just an ordinary Policeman. I am kitted out with a very nice full length woolen top coat, a scarf and a Trilby hat. All seems to be going very well, except for one thing. ... Act 3 is nowhere near as polished as Act 1 and  Act 2 for some reason? Can't all be down to me surely? Although I still haven't mastered my timing and door opening and closing.....The Full dress rehearsal on the Sunday with all the technical bits, lighting and sound effects goes very well. Looks like we are all set for the opening night after all !  

One thing that had been on my mind was how to hide my hair? Shoulder length blonde hair probably wasn't the look of a 'Secret Service' Agent in the 1920's. Help was at hand though and with a bit of 'back combing' and twisting I suddenly had what I believe is referred to as a 'Man Bun'.? It tucked neatly under the Trilby and and the 'wispy bits' were covered by the scarf.

I managed to time my arrival at the Theatre to just before the interval. As mentioned previously I don't appear until well into Act 3. It was a nice chill out time really. I say 'chill out', the Dressing Room was an absolute sweat box! No windows or ventilation, just as the weather hitting It's Summer peak.

There is a screen in the dressing room so I can where the play is up to. The cast soon arrive in an air of excitement as the curtain comes down on the interval. All appears to be going well so far!  After the interval I move down to a position backstage for when I make my dramatic entrance.

It's not easy coming on late in the day. The audience are drawn into the new character who becomes the focus of attention. I'm so focused on remembering what I need to say and do though. It isn't easy to pick out familiar faces. 

All goes well though, things seem to happen much faster than in rehearsals. I remember which doors to open and close which is helpful. The audience seemed to enjoy the performance too which is the main thing.