Press Office
Theatre company is far from running out of steam
The National Railway Museum’s (NRM) very own resident theatre company, Platform 4 Theatre, is on track to celebrate its 50th production next month.
The popular theatre group’s new play ‘Out of Steam’ is set to form an integral part of the NRM’s ‘1968 and all that’ event in May, a 9-day gala marking 40 years since the end of BR mainline steam. Meticulously researched, it will bring to life the memories of the drivers, firemen and cleaners who worked at the last steam sheds in Lancashire during 1968 – mainline steam’s final year.
Platform 4 Theatre was launched in 1991 and since then has proved to be a regular crowd-puller at the NRM. The free performances run during special events and every Saturday and Sunday throughout the year. Topics range from rail disasters and railway crime, to royal travel and local oral history. Specialised performances are also created for school groups and visitors with special needs.
Founder member Chris Ford researches and writes every story, all of which aim to bring the museum’s railway collections to life in entertaining, thought provoking and sometimes even shocking ways. Fellow founder Chris Cade performs the stories alongside another actor from the company. Performances are purposely short so that visitors can enjoy them as part of a wider journey around the Museum. Their work has received UK and international acclaim, the company having toured as far afield as Canada and Australia.
Chris Cade commented:
“We are a small theatre company tackling big railway stories. Education is at the heart of all our plays. We hope visitors to the museum not only experience an enjoyable theatre performance but also learn something new having been challenged to see things in a different way. It is truly fantastic to be able to earn a living combining our passion for rail, steam, theatre and education!”
Andrew Scott, Director of the National Railway Museum, added:
“Platform 4 Theatre is one of the longest established museum theatre companies in the UK. The NRM has been at the forefront of theatre in museums and we are looking forward to many more theatrical delights over the coming years. The performances are a big hit and they continue to enthral all our visitors, young and old”.
April 2008