"An Evening Of The Supernatural"

West Bridgford Dramatic Society.

The Studio Theatre, West Bridgford.

This production consists of two separate plays "Tunnel Vision" by Sheila Hodgson and "The Signalman" by Charles Dickens and the connection between the two plays are trains and tunnels, and of course the supernatural.

"Tunnel Vision" is set in a modern underground railway station, which in a way creates a different eeriness, like when you hear about supernatural visitations and hauntings in modern houses and properties.

Susan and Brian are a young couple in a relationship and along with Susan's Mother Angie and Step Father Peter, find themselves on a deserted underground platform late at night after a night out on the town. With only a teenage runaway named Liam for company, their bickering and idle chat soon unravel hidden family secrets, as strange and unsettling events begin to unfold......

Susan is played by Rae Akinbo, who makes her debut with West Bridgford Dramatic Society; in fact Rae's previous dramatic experiences have all been of the celluloid kind, and this is her first foray into theatre. There could be advantage to go slightly over the top with some of the sections that Rae has to portray, but these sections are performed as naturally as a young girl in this predicament can be. I know it all sounds a bit shrouded , but when you see the production, you'll get what I mean.

Brian is played by Tom Smeed, who makes his debut, not only with this society but this is also his first time acting, as he is known more as a musician; maybe after getting these two roles under his belt, we may see more of Tom on local stages. A very chilled performance.

Liam is played by Harry Longbottom. This is only the second play that I have seen Harry in, the first being "Communicating Doors" earlier this year, also for WBDS. Harry plays a really convincing screw loose character, and you really start to wonder why Liam is down in the underground on his own, late at night..... all is revealed! Harry also has a very useful, mobile face for this role, especially those manic eyes as he looks at Susan, creating quite an air of danger and unease.

Angie is played by Alison Scotney, who I also remember being in "Communicating Doors" with WBDS earlier this year with Harry. What Alison brings to this character, and the play is that sense of nervousness, at times you almost feel that she is possessed by someone from the past, but then snaps out of it, which then makes the audience wonder what is going to happen to these family members deep down in the underground station, which echoes rumblings, strange drumming and echoing footsteps.

Peter is played by Tim Farrow, a stalwart of local theatre, and it's those decades of treading the boards that creates this quite interesting character, who may have a few secrets that maybe should have remained hidden, especially from who, or whatever is down in the depths of the underground with them.

Directed by Emily Martin. Having not heard or seen this play before, I went into it with a complete blank canvas, but by the end of the play, the canvas was decidedly much darker. Very nice use of shadows and projection, and the ending was not something that I had expected. 

In "The Signalman" a terrified signalman unburdens himself to a lone traveller who just happens to be at his railway cutting. He tells a chilling tale of the spectre that haunts him, and the terrible disasters that follow each appearance...but what horror is the ghost trying to warn of this time around? 

Railway stations have always held a certain eeriness for me, especially the older ones, like the one in this Dickens' classic, and the later into the night it gets, the spookier those places become. In all the best horror stories, the story builds and builds and this is one of those slow burners that make you feel uneasy, even before anything has happened, but when they do....... well, I couldn't possibly spoil the ending for you!

The Signalman is played by Bertie Black, who makes his West Bridgford Dramatic Society debut. I've known Bertie for a few years now and have the pleasure of seeing him perform on several local stages in various guises. It doesn't matter which role Bertie plays, he just seems so right, as he proves here.

The Gentleman, who wanders down to the signal box to make polite conversation with The Signalman, is played by Rob Dixon. Rob brings the Dickensian style to this production in a very calming performance as he tries to piece the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle of a tale together for his new friend.  

The Ghost is played by Rae Akinbo in a flashback scene retold by The Signalman.

The Policeman, who appears near the end of the play, is played by Tim Farrow.

The Train Driver is played by Tom Smeed, who looked and acted suitably traumatised.

Directed by Dom Gaskell, who actually played the Train Driver in an earlier radio play version of "The Signalman" staged by West Bridgford Dramatic Society during the pandemic. Dom kept the action bubbling nicely until the moment when it all boiled over.

Sound design is by Arran Mackay and operated by Jeff Tullin. There are loads of sound cues and affects to take into consideration, especially in the first of the two plays, and every cue was hit right on time. I always say that a good majority of the tension in productions like this depend on the sound and light team, and that is so true with these two plays.

Lighting design is by Jerome Foley and Alex Wardle and operated by Malcolm Todd. As with the above comments, the timings were adhered to, and I loved the shadows and ghostly projections in the former of the two plays this evening. Even I was looking as to where the shadow was emanating from.

Set designer is Annie Haley, and with just a little adjustment from the Underground setting, it immediately transported us back to an era of Dickensian gothic and provided us a gauze portal where the scenes of what happened in the past could be viewed, and then disappeared into the mists of time.

Props & Costumes are by Barbara Seymour & Sav Dixon. The second plays costumes were brilliant because they really created that air of clothing style, especially with Rob's character, complete with bowler, and I loved the Policeman's accurate attire.

Stage Manager is Calum Sharp, assisted by Dom Gaskell and Emily Martin

Production Manager is Lynn Burges.

"An Evening Of The Supernatural" is at The Studio Theatre, West Bridgford until Saturday 12 July. Miss them at your peril, and just be thankful that by the time that you leave, it's still light!!!