Although set in the 1920s at a haunted railway station in Cornwall, The Kelvin Player’s latest show races to its triumphant conclusion with the pace of a modern day high speed train. As such, it is pure entertainment and a winner for Kelvin from the first whistle blow. Upon entering the auditorium it is clear that no detail has been spared, with the box office made into an old fashioned railway ticket office run by front-of-house helpers dressed as railway staff. The set design of the crumbling railway station waiting room is itself worth going to see and this is even before the authentically costumed characters come blustering in with their clipped Noel Coward voices. Our characters are a honeymooning couple and a couple on the verge of separation. Added to this is an eccentric elderly lady, excellently played by versatile actress Mary McCallum. Into this assortment, like an irritating Jack in the box, bounces Teddie Deakin, a seemingly mindless and dandified young man, whose pulling of the emergency stop chain has left them all stranded for the night in the waiting room. Train of death Exuberant, loud and annoying, actor Tom Hamilton-Jones steals the show. "They do say that to look upon the Ghost Train do mean death," the marooned and weary travellers are informed by the station master, Saul Hodgkin, endearingly portrayed by veteran actor, Peter Townsend who gleefully captures the superstition and gullibility of an old countryman. Drama ensues as a dead body falls through the doors and strange noises are heard, reducing the young women to hysteria. Suddenly another character is introduced. Julia Price, a young woman appearing to suffer from mental delusions, bursts into the waiting room to hide from her brother and doctor who are searching for her. Lisa Ruthven as Julia provides a welcome diversion and infuses the scene with energy and more tension. Jon Noden-Wilkinson, as her brother Herbert, is possessed of a great stage presence and a very pleasing voice. As the mysteries of the night unfold, however, it becomes clear that certain characters are not what they seem to be. The unsung stars of this show are the sound effects and lighting, which help create the atmosphere of suspense and look out for a little secret revealed at the very end of the production. This show is a credit to producer Anna Charlett and director Tim Whitten who have marshalled the cast into this slick performance. So, welcome aboard with this excellent show which is highly suitable for family entertainment at Christmas time. | 
