Strangers on a train Icon

Gielgud Theatre

Shaftesbury Avenue W1D 6AR

Strangers On A Train

Gielgud Theatre 3D location mapMap ©Silvermaze Ltd 2008 Gielgus Theatre photoPhoto ©Tony Reading 2008

Show Details

Preview 2nd Nov 13
Opens 19th Nov 13
Closes 22nd Feb 14

Show Times

Mon - Sat 7.30 pm
Matinée Weds & Sat 2.30 pm
   

Local Info

Top Class restaurants nearby;

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21 Monmouth Street
020 7836 7243

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2 - 4 Catherine Street
020 7240 4999
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BAXTER'S THEATRELAND BY NIGHT
A classic viewing of all the Theatreland play houses by night. The authentic commentary, by Ben Shafik - a player himself - gives an authentic feel to the West End's theatres - and is backed by real music.
Next version will be more upbeat as, suggested, to celebrate Britannia's unbeatable heritage.
(Over 6000 viewings and all good reviews to date).
Let us know what you think.


A note from the author

I took these pictures to show off London theatres as they are seen -most often - by theatre goers, at night.

Thanks to Ben Shafik for his lighthearted and informative commentary and Fionn O'Lochlainn for the original music.

Watch out for the new version with current liveries and the names of the theatres as they appear.

Baxter

 


CAST

  • Laurence Fox - Guy Haines
  • Jack Huston - Charles Bruno
  • Christian Mckay - Gerard
  • Miranda Raison - Anne
  • Imogen Stubbs - Elsie
  • Myanna Buring - Miriam

  • Playwright - Craig Warner
  • Book - Patricia Highsmith
  • Director - Roberty Allan Ackerman
  • Design - Tim Goodchild
  • Lighting - Tim Lutkin
  • Costume - Dona Granata
  • Sound - Avgoustos Psillas for Autograph
  • Producer - Barbara Broccoli, Colleen Camp, Michael G Wilson, Lucky VIII/Lou Spisto, Frederick Zollo and Michael Rose Limited for Strangers (UK) Limited.

STRANGERS ON A TRAIN

(a show with a great poster)

Here again we descend into the ever flowing sewer of adrenaline buzz. It is done with enormous style, artistry and technique.

The Alfred Hitchcock film of the same name received acclaim and at that time it was comparatively new to take entertainment from sheer nastiness. However the taste for chilling thrilling shocking horrifying harrowing and generally making life feel disgusting, has risen and a plethora  of nasties about murder, torture, blackmail and seduction have thrilled millions since those Hitchcock days. Of course historians will come on and talk about the Coliseum the Globe Theatre and many other playhouses which have portrayed similar ugliness. It appears that human animals seem to love bloodletting in all its forms and seem to participate as willingly as you like.

Yes indeed the scenes change very fast. They taste and technique of the technicians imposes cinematic treats in black-and-white to remind people that these scenes took place in the past.

There is little doubt how popular this stuff is and it filters down to children who like dressing up in ugly alarming looking costumes to go and blackmail people at the door door for sweets – Just because all the other kiddies are doing the same and the parents seem to encourage the little dears.

Far be it from me to put you off going and seeing this play and the accompanying "cinema noir". The music, frequently referred to as 'sound' or 'sound design'. according to Michael Billington of the Guardian, "deliberately echoes the nerve jangling scores that Bernard Herrmann wrote for Hitchcock".

STORY

Two men meet in a train and each of them discusses their story. As one does. It appears their conversation drifts from the normal string of complaints complaint to both of them wanting someone dead in other words – murder – so both of them have a drink and get on with such discussion of a perfect double murder. What transpires from there is where the unpleasantness starts to set in. Here's where the thrills start. (The Telegraph describes it as a thriller that is "unsettling and at the same time seductive"). All the other details – and the ladies of course – must be left unspoiled to seduce the theatre goer and get the adrenaline juices flowing.

But there is always a message in there somewhere if you look hard enough. Perhaps it's to inform ladies that if they behave obnoxiously often enough someone might wish them dead. Of course the same thing goes for men but historically, they are more difficult to kill off a battlefield than women.

The box office knows what they're doing. They wouldn't have put it on if they hadn't been assured that the demand for nastiness is on the increase and they're all ready to fulfil it with fancy footwork in the theatre.

You can book for your dose of thrills, accelerating heart beats and all that gripping stuff.  And book good seats to grip because good seats are important when you're scared.

©Covent-Garden.co.uk 2017 Updated 9th Mar 2014