“THE GHOST TRAIN”

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 187, 28 October 1927, Page 15

“THE GHOST TRAIN”

HIS MAJESTY’S TO-MORROW “The Ghost Train,” the stage adaptation of the thrilling book of that name, and which has created a sensation wherever produced, is to be presented at His Majesty’s Theatre commencing to-morrow, Saturday, and it is safe to say that it will be played to crowded and delighted houses during the all-too-short season. This engrossing comedy-drama deals, with the adventures of a number of passengers marooned at a lonely railway station and the extraordinary happenings there. Sensation follows sensation in rapid sequence, and the developments are such that the rapt attention of the audience is held throughout. The final act provides a denouement as startling as it is unexpected. One of the great features of the drama is the wonderfully realistic manner in which the coming of the ghost train is presented, and there are many who maintain that in this respect “The Ghost Train” stands out as unique in modern stage production. After the stationmaster has related to the stranded passengers the gruesome story of the tragedy, and has taken his departure, the noise of the train is heard in the distance. Nearer it comes, until the headlights are discernible, and the ruddy glow of the engine fire is reflected on wood and crag. With a rattle and a clatter the train comes nearer and nearer until the hiss of steam is heard, and then, with all the clanging that accompanies the passing of an express, the ghost train rushes by. “The Ghost Train” has a full complement of star artists aboard, and when this sensationally-successful comedy-drama arrives here it will introduce Miss Betty Ross-Clarke, one of the most talented actresses in England, who will play the leading feminine role; Miss Laura Smithson, a leading English character actress; Mr. Hugh E. Wright, a clever English actor, who plays the part of the stationmaster, and who is also responsible for the production of the comedy-drama; Mr. Basil Radford, a well-known London stage favourite, who was engaged to play the role (that of Teddy Deakin, “the silly ass,” who provides one of the sensations of the play in the final act), in which he scored such a signal success in the big metropolis; Mr. Mayne Lynton, well-known in New Zealand, is cast in a congenial role; Misses Jean Bailey and Mary Rigby, Mr. Roger Barry, Mr. Leslie Palmer, Mr. Edgar Warwick, Mr. Reginald Roberts, Mr. Robert Steel€> and others. This great comedy-drama, which has attracted crowded houses wherever presented, and in New Zealand under the auspices of J. C. Williamson, in conjunction with E. J. Carroll, is ~till booming. The box plan arrangements are advertised.