The Signalman by Charles Dickens Windsor theatre

In June 1865 Charles Dickens was returning from Paris in the Boat train, on the way to London the train he was riding in experienced a terrible train crash. 

The foreman of an engineering gang had miss read the time table and had ordered sections of track removed before the last train (The boat train) had traveled through. The works were just before a viaduct and the first seven carriages plunged into a valley. 

Dickens who was riding at the back of the train with his mistress was unscathed and gave first aid where he could to some of the victims. 10 people died and the effects of the crash stayed with Dickens for the rest of his life, he would suffer panic and severe anxiety when travelling in wheeled transport even horse drawn. 

A few years after the crash Dickens sat down and penned this play “The Signalman” he draws in his experience and tries to portray some of the horror and shock he experienced in the aftermath of the crash. It’s a good play and should be viewed. 

Last nights performance in Windsor was very good, I’m going to be fair an say this is an older play so what would have been shocking in 1860’s London probably isn’t so shocking in the modern age of cinema horror but there are some shocks and surprises along the way. The acting was very good and it’s easy to get caught up in the dialogue as the plot thunders a long like a train. If you want a nice evening out it’s worth a look and you won’t be disappointed. 

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Have fun stay safe 👍🏼