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This play of the 1953 Ealing comedy comes to the Belgrade with a warmth and amiable charm of a bygone era.
When a small rail btanch line is threatened with closure under the newly nationalised British Rail, a group of villagers band together to run it themselves, the face of opposition from a bus company.
The nostalgic glory days of steam railways are proudly evoked by an able cast, with gentle humour keeping the audience entertained.
The performance didn't provide the side-splitting laughter I was half expecting but there was enough heartfelt humour to jolly things along.
Kate O'Mara, Steven Pinder amd Loveday Smith give decent accounts as Lady Chesterford, Mr Blakeworth and Miss Weech, respectively, while Philip Reed proves versatile in his five roles.
But Paul Leonard steals the limelight as the loveable but rougueish bus operator Vernon Crump and as rich old soak Mr Valentine.
However the greatest praise must go to the instant scenery changes and funny props which provide the biggest laughs.
One final suggestion - can the person who overstoked the engine in the auditorium cool the coals for future performances?
Alan Harris
Coventry Evening Telegraph - 20th September 2005
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