Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review.
This week, The Signalman comes to visit, bringing a tale of torment and unease straight from eerie Victorian England to the Derby Theatre stage. This new adaptation of Charles Dickens ghostly masterpiece tells the story of a traveller who meets a mysterious figure in turmoil while wandering past a railway cutting. Perhaps one of Charles Dickens’ lesser-known stories, but one of intrigue and gloom that is perfect for this wintry, January season.
In Act One of the show, our mysterious protagonist meets the signalman on a stage shrouded in darkness. The signalman appears unnerved by the walker’s presence but when the two are acquainted, they decide to spend the evening together and regale stories of the railways together.
What follows though is where our story takes a darker turn, with the topic of conversation turning to experiences of the supernatural. Our wanderer vows to return the following evening, and in Act Two our signalman reveals the torment that he has faced and fears for what is to come. The story is utterly captivating from beginning to end, with our audience still predicting and theorising until the very end.
Chris Walker (The Signalman) and John Burton (The Traveller) are a magnificent duo, providing a masterclass in the art of storytelling. This story as it is told in this production, relies heavily on the magic of captivating narration and this pair complement each other in doing so beautifully. Whilst tricks of the stage do come into play, the majority of this play is stripped back and the intrigue of the audience is formed through simply sublime acting talent. As The Signalman, Chris Walker perfectly portrays the haunted torment of the character; through his facial expressions and body languag,e we see him become more and more unnerved and unhinged as the story continues. In one particular moment, his character breaks down in such a way that the audience’s hearts shatter. His portrayal is never over the top; instead, it is nuanced, clever and gripping.
Complimenting this brilliantly is the performance of John Burton as The Traveller. His character is far more confident and self-assured and yet his descent into confusion and sadness at the events that unfold is again believable and done subtly over time. Both actors command the stage and do not shy away from intimate moments with the audience. The use of silence in this production is also incredibly clever in creating suspense and atmosphere. Neither actor is afraid to sit in the silence and to let it linger enough to have the impact it needs; a brave choice and one that truly pays off.
The staging of this performance is also very clever, combining the very realistic Dickensian world created through traditional set and decor with some clever stage trickery and use of technology.
Without giving anything away, both the new and the traditional combine to provide truly haunting moments; however, these are never overdone or over the top as in other horror stage shows, leaving the audience always wondering what if. The lighting design, by Bob Hodges, also contributed fantastically to the almost Gothic atmosphere. The darkness in which our duo meet feels deliberately confusing and manipulative which in the context of the story we are told makes perfect sense. The small details of this element are impressive; the small flicker of a light, moments of total blackout, a continuous red signal light and the use of haze and smoke all have such deep meaning and strong impact.
Whilst many modern shows seek to portray a real moral or message - and I am sure that there is one to be found in Dickens ’ story - what I really enjoyed in watching this show was the old-fashioned storytelling feel it had. It was a night to tell ghostly stories of days gone by, purely for a night of entertainment and mystery. This production had heart and proved that these classic novels still have a place and an impact in the modern world, serving to be just as entertaining as they ever have been and even arguably more so given the complementary stage effects that are able to take place. The Signalman is currently embarking on a UK tour and is truly the perfect experience for these cold and bitter winter months. Truly haunting in the best way possible!
⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Signalman plays at Derby Theatre until Saturday 31st January and tickets are available from https://derbytheatre.co.uk/event/the-signalman
The tour continues and books until 28th March 2026. Visit http://www.middlegroundtheatre.co.uk/Wordpress/the-signalman-dates/ for full dates and details.
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