Charles Dickens’ masterful ghost story The Signalman re-imagined in an abandoned railway tunnel under Brighton Station. Critically acclaimed Hydrocracker have created sell out shows in iconic locations and now bring a new version of Dickens’ psychological thriller The Signalman to Cab Road Tunnel. The performance lasts 75 minutes without an interval. The Signalman will take place in an unheated old railway tunnel. You will walk across uneven flooring in dim light and the environment may be cold to sit in.
The story begins with a signalman who is haunted by a supernatural presence. The signalman is tasked with keeping the trains running on time, but he is plagued by visions of a ghostly figure. As the story unfolds, the signalman's grip on reality begins to slip, and he becomes convinced that the ghost is trying to communicate with him.
The Signalman is a classic tale of horror and suspense, and this production brings it to life in a unique and immersive way. The use of the abandoned railway tunnel as a venue adds to the eerie atmosphere, and the audience is drawn into the world of the signalman.
The creative team behind the production includes Nathan Crossan-Smith as director, Richard Hahlo as co-director, and Madeleine Wilson as producer. The cast includes Oliver Clayton as the signalman and Jem Wall as the tour guide and the visitor/Charles Dickens.
The production has received critical acclaim, with reviewers praising its immersive and suspenseful storytelling. The Guardian has described it as 'theatre with purpose', while the Financial Times has called it 'one of the UK’s most exciting and experimental theatre groups'. The Times has praised the production as 'robust, inventive performance at its best'.
