"The Ghost Train"

August 12, 2010 — In observance of their 80th season, America's oldest professional summer stock theatre is repeating their first-ever production in 1931, "The Ghost Train." That theatre is The Barnstormers in Tamworth, New Hampshire, where I have enjoyed many performances over the years.

This production of "The Ghost Train" was a little disappointing to me, although most of the audience seemed enthralled by it. I thought the actors didn't seem quite comfortable in their roles, even though this was the third performace of the play. There was more stumbling over lines than I'm used to hearing at a Barnstormers production. Even Dee Nelson, one of my favorites and winner last year of the New Hampshire Theatre Award for best supporting actress, wasn't at her best. An exception was Scott Severance who pretty much stole the show in an over-the-top performance as a dandy British tourist, although at times I found him more annoying than funny.

The play takes place in a railroad station where a group of passengers has been stranded when they miss a connection and learn there won't be another train until the next morning. That is, of course, except for the ghost train, which the creepy station master informs them may cause the death of anyone who sees it. The train effects were well-done, consisting of bells, roar of the steam engine, screeching brakes and flashing lights. Overall, I don't regret having seen the play. It was sufficiently funny and suspenseful with a neat surprise twist at the end. It just wasn't up to The Barnstormers' best work.