Night Train

Loved this show, a surprising development in the story and made me think and reflect. I wasn’t expecting this play of beauty when I booked, and was touched by it. Thank you crew!

Tellus Theatre Company has put together an incredible, poignant, existential work of art with their debut show, “Night Train.” There are moments where you’ll laugh through tears. The balance of humour, philosophy, and movement make for a stunning, thought-provoking spectacle. I've walked away with a renewed conviction to make the most out of life. Wonderful performances by all of the cast! I cannot wait to see what Tellus does next with their overflowing talent.

An entertaining look at death: entertaining but serious - a balance that is difficult to achieve, so credit to the writer. There were new devices that worked well: the Greek chorus of wise fools, the progression through the carriages in parallel with Maia’s growing understanding. If it didn’t go that deeply into belief in life after death and how we ourselves should think about death, then I was very happy to forgive the team, and just enjoy the production as far as it goes.

Beautiful. I was mesmerised from start to finish. You MUST go see this stunning piece of theatre!

This all-ages comic yet moving meditation on ‘life, death, and sausage rolls’ is a must see for fans of physical theatre, existentialism, or just good old slapstick comedy.

Tracking the journey of Maia (a charmingly earnest Pouilly) through a dreamlike landscape of increasingly bizarre train cars Ellard's absurdist script is witty- full of references to philosophy and the classics- but never alienating in a "cleverer than thou" way. Despite the heady topic Ellard is always able to paint moments of more grounded humanity when it really matters striking a delicate balance between profound and profane.

Boyd directs the tight and well drilled cast through an ingenious minimalist staging with such deftness and confidence that it's easy to forget this is the company's debut production. Boyd has her team so slickly synced with one another despite the demanding script that the moments of improvisation - which lines the chorus speak in unison, or the scramble for a suitcase which plays out differently each performance - flow seamlessly into the scripted material.

As for the cast themselves, those portraying the not quite human characters- the endearingly uncanny chorus (performed with top notch physicality by Murton, Yallop, and Zhelyazkova), the funniest Grim Reaper I've seen in a long time (playfully realised by Zatta), and the climactic encounter with something heart-breaking and beautiful that I won't spoil- do so with an arresting giddy energy that propels what could be a plodding philosophical tract into a breathlessly pacey piece.

Thankfully though, quirky never spills over into obtuse thanks to the influence of several well-observed moments of more grounded humanity. Particular praise should be afforded to those scenes with the wonderfully wittery Leila (brought compassionately to life by Chane in fantastic form) which are in turns joyful and tragic.

Ellard might have easily let Pouilly’s Maia be subsumed into the lofty symbolism that often pervades less successful works of this nature, yet writing, direction and performance together ensure that, despite the allegorical setting, Maia remains a relatable young woman with sweetly quotidian triumphs (her proudest moment being the writing of a school newspaper article on a teacher's cat) and vices (hand rolled cigarette smokers take heed).

For fans of philosophy, physical theatre, slapstick comedy, or those just looking for an accessible and entertaining performance to watch with the whole family Night Train is a must. Catch it while you still can.

Tellus will surely be one to watch with interest after this compelling debut.

Five stars for this poignant, humorous, beautifully written and pristinely performed piece of theatre. What a dynamic new theatre company Tellus is!
The text, the characters, the ‘Greek chorus’, the soundscapes and musical transitions are captivating and tell this very human experience story so very well.
I really hope it gets the attention it deserves. This is what Edinburgh Fringe theatre is all about.

An amazing debut by a wonderfully talented group of young theatre professionals. A fast but well paced exploration of life after death.... insightful, poetic and plenty of laugh out loud moments combined for a very entertaining hour. Go see it.

A subtle, light hearted and sensitive exploration of what awaits us after death. Fast paced story telling and energetic performances from all. An entertaining lunchtime watch.
Appropriate for younger audiences also.

Outstanding professional performance by talented emerging actors exploring “the next step” ?! Light , physical and amusing with no swearing. Fast paced and really enjoyable.