A summer event planned for the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway is expected to transform the countryside of the Banwy Valley as never before.
While the fields will still be full of sheep, some of them might be pantomime sheep. A lost Roman legion may march on Castle Caereinion. And the appearance of invaders from space may herald a frightening future for Llanfair.
Of course it’s all for fun and entertainment – special Sunday trains are to be run by the Llanfair Line on July 7, during which travellers will be treated to what is thought to be Britain’s first ever ‘Theatre from the Train’.
Frequent train departures will allow travellers to view the wild goings-on along the railway’s eight-mile route and these will be matched by colourful events at the stations in Llanfair Caereinion, Castle Caereinion and Welshpool Raven Square.
The event has the support of Welshpool Town Council and has secured sponsorship from the Welshpool-based Potter Group.
Organisers are planning for choirs, musicians and street entertainers to join a host of amateur artistes, young and old, to create a spectacle that will be remembered for years. Several groups have already signed up for the event – anyone interested in joining them and putting on a show is being asked to contact the railway now.
“It looks as though passengers on our special trains may be listening to the beautiful music of the harp one moment, and witnessing an invasion of zombies the next – anything is possible,” says W&LLR member Carol Davies, who is organising the event on behalf of the railway.
“Since the idea of Theatre from the Train was first put forward we have had some great suggestions put to us from local people, some with experience of performing and some with none at all.
“We’ve heard from music societies, drama groups, young farmers, a ladies’ golf team, and many individuals with imaginative ideas.”
Carol adds that to her knowledge an entertainment of this kind has never been tried in Britain before.
“We are in unchartered territory, but we are open to ideas from everyone and the Welsh countryside provides a huge open-air theatre space,” she said.
“We would like to hear from anyone who has an entertaining idea, whether it’s for a solo act or andramatic group performance.”
A meeting for anyone with an interest in taking part in Theatre From a Train will be held from 7pm at Welshpool Town Hall on Friday. Potential participants can also contact Penny Jones for information at penny400@outlook.com.
Keep an eye on the railway’s website, www.wllr.org.uk, for further details leading up to the event.
PICTURE: Judith and Stuart Marvin of Montgomeryshire Community Drama Association take to the railway stage before next July’s theatre experience. Photo: C Davies/W&LLR
Judith and Stuart Marvin of Montgomeryshire Community Drama Association take to the railway stage before next July’s theatre experience. Photo: C Davies/W&LLR