Girl on the Train

By Marilyn Barber

This company had a huge challenge on their hands when they decided to stage this play which is based on the bestselling novel by Paula Hawkins. For a start, they had to give the illusion of a train travelling on a track – and there are 16 different scenes.

However, not only do they nail this, all seven members of the cast put in faultless performances.

And what a powerful opening! Kelly-Anne Singleton’s portrayal of the alcoholic Rachel Watson is stunning from the first words she utters as she staggers across the stage.

Following her marriage breakup and the loss of her job, she took a train to London each day to observe from the window a couple she imagined had a perfect life.

And just when I thought I’d identified a great performer, along came another one – and then another, until I found myself giving them all five stars on my programme.

Sean Beaumont (as Rachel’s ex Tom) puts so much into this multi-faceted character, teaming well with the supposedly acquiescent wife Anna (Harriet Johns).

Clare l’Anson exudes so much raw emotion as Megan, the supposedly perfect wife, whilst Simon Langford shows passion and at times menace as her husband Scott.

Peter Bennett gets under the skin of the police officer DI Gaskill, with Steve Moore adding calm as Kamal Abdic, Megan’s therapist.