REVIEW
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
The Signalman
By Charles Dickens
Directed and designed by Michael Lunney
Adapted for the stage by Francis Evelyn
Palace Theatre
Westcliff on Sea
Essex
Thu 26th February 2026 - Sat 28th February 2026
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
The Signalman
By Charles Dickens
Directed and designed by Michael Lunney
Adapted for the stage by Francis Evelyn
Palace Theatre
Westcliff on Sea
Essex
Thu 26th February 2026 - Sat 28th February 2026
Starring Chris Walker and John Burton with James Morley, Bruce Chattan and Adam Mort.
It was a cold dark stormy night and two men sat in …
If you are a fan of ghost stories then this is the play for you. On at the Palace this week, it is a Victorian tale of unease and mystery. Based on a short story by Charles Dickens and adapted for the stage by Francis Evelyn, it is essentially a two hander, although there are other cast members involved.
A Traveller, who is a railway enthusiast, comes across a signal box in the dead of night and befriends the signalman. Whilst they sit chatting, each unfolds a story; the Traveller has been to South America and was attacked by a monster who turned out to be a tribesman in disguise. The other man is very troubled, and then the story takes a darker turn, with the topic of conversation turning to experiences of the supernatural. He keeps seeing a spectre waving at him and shielding his face. The ghost seems to be warning him, but he doesn’t know why. Apparently, this has happened in the past, and is always followed by tragedies. Of course, the inevitable happens.
Although now a stage play, there are still elements of the story telling in the way Charles Dickens would have done it. However, what raises it above that are the tremendous special effects. There are things falling off shelves, doors crashing open, startling the audience, strange voices, a spectre and an incredible steam train. It took me right back to my childhood. Standing on the station waiting as the big monster came chugging in, belching out black smoke.
The two actors, Chris Walker and John Burton do a very good job of creating the atmosphere of unease and holding our attention. The latter as the railway enthusiast was energetic and strong vocally; Chris is much more restrained, but conveys the anxious, haunted man with credibility. They both narrate their stories in a believable way as we watch the gradual breakdown of the signalman.
The story by its very nature is slow, and there are many moments of tinkering with things in the signal box with no words spoken. The use of silence in this production creates the tense atmosphere. At different times both actors sit quietly, with the silence creating the suspense. This is a brave thing to do as some actors find it difficult, but the two protagonists do it very well. Unfortunately, the silence was broken by members of the audience eating their sweets and rustling the wrappers. The actors play off each other and make the play more than just talking heads.
What helps to create the believability is the set, which is amazing. There were rail lines and a magnificent tunnel filling the stage. There is a realistic creation of a signal box right down to levers to change the points. Apparently, the set designer, Michael Lunney toured the country visiting original signal boxes to get it right. The tunnel design is based on two Colwall tunnels in Worcestershire. This realism adds to the overall effect.
The tale is obviously popular with the paying public as the theatre was packed. Whether they are fans of Charles Dickens, ghost stories or of the two well-known TV actors I am not sure. However, everyone was engrossed in the storytelling.
Review Jacquee- Storozynski-Toll
The production continues
Friday 27th February 2026 - Sat 28th February 2026
7.30pm mat. Friday and Saturday – 2.30pm
Ticket Price
£24 - £42
A transaction fee of up to £3.95 may apply.
Box Office 0343 310 0030
The production, which has toured since August 25 continues:-
Tues 3rd to Sat 7th March - Yvonne Arnaud Theatre Guildford
Thurs 26th to Sat 28th March - Wolverhampton Grand Theatre
A Traveller, who is a railway enthusiast, comes across a signal box in the dead of night and befriends the signalman. Whilst they sit chatting, each unfolds a story; the Traveller has been to South America and was attacked by a monster who turned out to be a tribesman in disguise. The other man is very troubled, and then the story takes a darker turn, with the topic of conversation turning to experiences of the supernatural. He keeps seeing a spectre waving at him and shielding his face. The ghost seems to be warning him, but he doesn’t know why. Apparently, this has happened in the past, and is always followed by tragedies. Of course, the inevitable happens.
Although now a stage play, there are still elements of the story telling in the way Charles Dickens would have done it. However, what raises it above that are the tremendous special effects. There are things falling off shelves, doors crashing open, startling the audience, strange voices, a spectre and an incredible steam train. It took me right back to my childhood. Standing on the station waiting as the big monster came chugging in, belching out black smoke.
The two actors, Chris Walker and John Burton do a very good job of creating the atmosphere of unease and holding our attention. The latter as the railway enthusiast was energetic and strong vocally; Chris is much more restrained, but conveys the anxious, haunted man with credibility. They both narrate their stories in a believable way as we watch the gradual breakdown of the signalman.
The story by its very nature is slow, and there are many moments of tinkering with things in the signal box with no words spoken. The use of silence in this production creates the tense atmosphere. At different times both actors sit quietly, with the silence creating the suspense. This is a brave thing to do as some actors find it difficult, but the two protagonists do it very well. Unfortunately, the silence was broken by members of the audience eating their sweets and rustling the wrappers. The actors play off each other and make the play more than just talking heads.
What helps to create the believability is the set, which is amazing. There were rail lines and a magnificent tunnel filling the stage. There is a realistic creation of a signal box right down to levers to change the points. Apparently, the set designer, Michael Lunney toured the country visiting original signal boxes to get it right. The tunnel design is based on two Colwall tunnels in Worcestershire. This realism adds to the overall effect.
The tale is obviously popular with the paying public as the theatre was packed. Whether they are fans of Charles Dickens, ghost stories or of the two well-known TV actors I am not sure. However, everyone was engrossed in the storytelling.
Review Jacquee- Storozynski-Toll
The production continues
Friday 27th February 2026 - Sat 28th February 2026
7.30pm mat. Friday and Saturday – 2.30pm
Ticket Price
£24 - £42
A transaction fee of up to £3.95 may apply.
Box Office 0343 310 0030
The production, which has toured since August 25 continues:-
Tues 3rd to Sat 7th March - Yvonne Arnaud Theatre Guildford
Thurs 26th to Sat 28th March - Wolverhampton Grand Theatre
Middle Ground Theatre Company Ltd is delighted to announce a new extended adaptation of their hugely successful production of Charles Dickens' nerve-tingling ghostly masterpiece The Signalman.
Set in 1880, this is the exquisitely unnerving tale of a tormented signalman who is haunted by visions of impending disaster on his isolated stretch of line. Can a well meaning traveller, who chances upon the lonely signal box while out walking, calm the man’s fears before he spirals into self destruction?
Featuring a stunning set and video projections, this is the perfect way to spend a dark autumn or winter's evening...
Chris Walker is best known for his fifteen years playing Rob Hollins in Doctors, as well as regular roles in Merseybeat, Playing the Field, The Bill and Coronation Street.
John Burton is best known for his ongoing portrayal of Sergeant Goodfellow in the hugely successful series Father Brown, along with regular character of Alan Gordon in Brookside.
Tickets https://trafalgartickets.com/palace-theatre-southend/en-GB/event/play/the-signalman-tickets
Set in 1880, this is the exquisitely unnerving tale of a tormented signalman who is haunted by visions of impending disaster on his isolated stretch of line. Can a well meaning traveller, who chances upon the lonely signal box while out walking, calm the man’s fears before he spirals into self destruction?
Featuring a stunning set and video projections, this is the perfect way to spend a dark autumn or winter's evening...
Chris Walker is best known for his fifteen years playing Rob Hollins in Doctors, as well as regular roles in Merseybeat, Playing the Field, The Bill and Coronation Street.
John Burton is best known for his ongoing portrayal of Sergeant Goodfellow in the hugely successful series Father Brown, along with regular character of Alan Gordon in Brookside.
Tickets https://trafalgartickets.com/palace-theatre-southend/en-GB/event/play/the-signalman-tickets
