Night Train
Theatre (comedy, new writing)
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Venue 45theSpace @ Venue45 - theSpace @ Venue 45
- 12:45
- Aug 17
- 55 minutes
- Country: United Kingdom - England
- Group: Tellus Theatre Company
- Warnings and additional info: Contains distressing or potentially triggering themes, Strong language/swearing
- Accessibility: May not apply to all performances. You'll find more information about accessibile performances and how to book tickets in the accessibility tab below.
- Babes in arms policy: Babies do not require a ticket
- Policy applies to: Children under 18 months
Description
Tellus Theatre presents Night Train, an exciting physical-theatre production. This philosophical comedy revolves around Maia, who wakes at the rear of a mysterious train and befriends a chorus of merry morons. But journeying through countless carriages, curious characters, and confusing signage, Maia and her unruly troupe seek answers to questions like: Who’s driving? How do we get off this train? And most importantly... What is the true magic in a sandwich? Exploring this strange world through slapstick comedy, puppetry and occasional tumultuous chaos, this show is a must-see for anyone who adores or abhors trains!Please note that while all media gallery content is provided by verified members of the event, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society does not review or approve this content before it is posted. Reports of inappropriate content or copyright infringement can be directed to [email protected].
General venue access
- Accessible entry: Up a ramp into the building then level access into the theatre.
- Stairs: Information not supplied
Wheelchair access type: Not fully wheelchair accessible
Each venue can contain several space with different accessibly information. Visit the venue page for full venue accessibility info
How and when to make an access booking
- Phone: +44 (0)131 226 0002
- Email: [email protected]
- Textphone: +44 (0)7860 018 299
- Find out more about access at the Fringe.
Our access tickets service is available to anyone who:
- Would like to book specific accessibility services, e.g. a hearing loop, audio description headsets, captioning units, seating in relation to the location of the BSL interpreter
- Requires extra assistance when at a venue
- Has specific seating requirements
- Is a wheelchair user
- Requires a complimentary personal assistant ticket to attend a performance
Irma de Kruijf 20 days ago
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!
Nellie Campbell 22 days ago
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.
Paul Ashley 24 days ago
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.
Peter Heenan 24 days ago
Beautiful. I was mesmerised from start to finish. You MUST go see this stunning piece of theatre!
Morrison Spencer Brown 25 days ago
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.
Anna 25 days ago
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.
Richard 26 days ago
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.
Lucy Newbery 26 days ago
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.
Jennifer Cooper 26 days ago
Outstanding professional performance by talented emerging actors exploring “the next step” ?! Light , physical and amusing with no swearing. Fast paced and really enjoyable.
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BroadwayBaby 24 days ago
Broadway Baby 25 days ago
Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.
Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.