The Signalman – A Chilling Dickens Masterpiece

The Signalman by Charles Dickens is an eerie ghost story that has been brought to vivid life in a UK tour by the Midde Ground Theatre Company. The tour is concluding this weekend with a run at the Wolverhampton Grand, and last night it showed why Dickens is still a master story teller even after 200 years, especially when it comes to a ghost story.

The tale is beautifully, yet simply staged in a signal box in a remote location in 1880. It is manned at night by a lonely Signalman haunted by a spectre who appears just before a tragic event. A chance encounter with a traveller leads to his sharing of his story, and the traveller promises to help. But cruel fate has a final twist to this tale which will lead to a final, horrific denouement.

The Signalman is essentially a two header between two exceptional actors. Chris Walker is the Signalman and he is incredibly moving in portraying the fear and angst, but also the dedication and decency of the man. He is more than ably matched by Father Brown’s John Burton, who brings a vitality and likability to his role as the traveller who befriends the lonely signalman, forming a brief but warm friendship.

The play is beautifully staged, with effective use of sound and smoke to create a genuinely eerie atmosphere. The darkness that lingers throughout, with the story set at night, helps to create an unease that is tension filled, you are always expectant, waiting for something to happen, and there are enough genuine jumpy moments to satisfy fans of the supernatural. This is a short play, but not a minute is wasted, and the direction is taut, almost claustrophobic. This is satisfying theatre.

Wonderfully acted, beautifully staged, The Signalman is a glorious ghost story that delivers on every detail.

The Signalman

Until Saturday 28th March

Click here for ticket information

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