Titchfield Festival Theatre is proud to announce its centenary production of Arnold Ridley's classic thriller, The Ghost Train (Revised), which performs in the Oak Theatre from 5 – 13 February. This updated version promises audiences a night of suspense, mystery, and theatrical thrills.

Six passengers find themselves stranded late at night in the waiting room of a rural Cornish railway station. The Station Master strongly advises the passengers to find alternative accommodation for the night, due to the station being haunted. Warning them their fate would be certain death if they dared to set their eyes on The Ghost Train was not enough to deter the group, and they end up staying put until morning. They experience a night they will never forget with plenty of shocks along the way, not to mention being witnesses to the unmasking of a clever plot by a criminal gang.

Jenny Rainbird is director of The Ghost Train:

"I first watched an amateur production of The Ghost Train twenty years ago, and it left a deep impression on me. I was enthralled by the suspense, the drama, the ghost story, humour and the array of characters, hoping they will survive the night whilst being terrorised by ghostly goings on around them. This centenary year felt like the perfect time to bring this play to the Titchfield stage.

This revised version retains the original story while streamlining certain elements. "While the core narrative remains unchanged, this adaptation tightens the pacing and clarifies some of the language for a modern audience," explains Jenny. The TFT production also addresses the evolving dynamics between the sexes, reflecting contemporary sensibilities. "We’ve aimed to present the play’s original context while ensuring the language resonates with today's viewers."

The theatre will be transformed into the eerie waiting room of a remote Cornish railway station. The show will include atmospheric lighting, sound effects, and set design to create a truly chilling atmosphere.

"The play demands a setting that feels damp, dreary, and unwelcoming," says Jenny.

"We’re using cold lighting, sparse furniture, and the sounds of a storm to immerse the audience in the play's unsettling world. And be prepared for the chilling roar of the ghost train!"

Jenny hopes the audience will be fully immersed in the experience, believing in the station's haunting and feeling the presence of the ghost train. "We’re aiming for a Hitchcock-style atmosphere, complete with a dramatic soundtrack inspired by Stravinsky. This production has it all: suspense, a compelling ghost story, drama, humour, and a surprising twist."

The Ghost Train performs in the Oak Theatre, Titchfield Festival Theatre between 5 to 13 February 2025. For more information including booking tickets please go to http://titchfieldfestivaltheatre.com/ or contact our Box Office on 0333 666 3366.

This amateur production of “The Ghost Train (Revised)” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of Samuel French Ltd.