Written by Roby for Theatre and Tonic

Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for our thoughts to be shared. All opinons are our own

The Market Deeping Model Railway Club makes its world premiere at the Nottingham Playhouse this summer. Based around true events, and starring a cast of many familiar faces, the show was intriguing enough for me to travel all the way from Liverpool to attend the press night… and not only was it worth the journey, it was the best play I’ve seen so far this year!

There is no standout performance in the show because the whole cast is exceptional. They work from strength to strength to create captivating, dynamic performances with superb comedic timing. Adrian Scarborough (Graham) and Lucy Briers (Linda) have excellent chemistry together, and their relationship is explored well throughout the show. James Bradshaw (Neil), Matt Bardock (Chris), Babatunde Aléshé (Jordan), Paul Bradley (Jerry), Geoffrey Beevers (George), and Dela Walmsley (Ken) all complement scenes well, and each have a chance to shine in individual standout moments - Jerry’s accidental overdose on ecstasy is a moment of chaotic brilliance, yet Ken’s vulnerable sharing of his wartime experiences is a moment of emotional poignancy. It’s this ability to take the audience on an emotional rollercoaster that truly highlights the strength of this cast.

Adam Penford’s direction is exceptional; scenes are well-paced, and the show has a consistent naturalness which makes it so enjoyable to watch. William Ivory’s writing is incredibly witty, whilst also delivering a strong retelling of a real event - something that can be quite challenging to do. Ivory’s writing is just genius; there are so many brilliant moments, and the comedy throughout is so clever. There’s plenty for those who aren’t railway enthusiasts, and even more for those who are.

Soutra Gilmour’s design complements the action well. The attention to detail throughout is brilliant, meaning there is always something new to watch. I loved the inclusion of the moving model train on the curtain used in the pre-show and interval. Howard Hudson’s lighting design works well with the set, and Alexandra Faye Braithwaite’s sound design is great at accompanying the action. I especially loved Jon Discoll’s projection design, which was used particularly well during scene changes to ensure that they didn’t take you out of the action. I also loved the inclusion of actual footage of the mindless vandalism. The tech crew wearing Market Deeping Railway polos was an excellent touch, too!

Everything in this show was so well thought out; the details throughout are remarkable - from the clever train jokes to the background music from the pub downstairs to the inclusion of the real Woodcroft model railway that was brought out at the end of the show. The cast and crew, led by director Penford, have really produced something exceptional. There’s something in this show for everyone, and I would recommend it to all! I hope that Nottingham Playhouse isn’t this show’s terminal station, as it deserves to have a bright future.

The Model Railway Club plays at Nottingham Playhouse until 25 July.

★★★★★

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