As always, HTG welcomed newcomers to audition for this show. As is often the case, there are a number of new faces to this cast. 

One of these newcomers is Mittagong local, Samuel Mills.

Samuel went to Southern Highlands Christian School and enjoyed being part of the drama group.

He studied the subject for his HSC and would later enrol at the University of Wollongong for the communications and media studies degree.

Samuel likes mystery thrillers and thought it might be fun to be a part of one so he turned up for auditions. 

He tried out for three roles, figuring he would probably only be in the running for the young newly-wed character Charles on account of his tender age of 19. 

Little did he think he would walk away with the highly sought after role of Teddie – the role that gets the lion’s share of the laughs.

Samuel relishes playing this role.

“There is more to Teddie than meets the eye,” Samuel said. 

“He is a trivial, jolly and crazy character that gets on everyone’s nerves.”

Samuel said this play was billed as a mystery thriller.

“It starts off on a very light note with lots of laughs and seamlessly transitions from comedy to thriller,” he said.

This is no surprise given writer William Arnold Ridley is better known for his performance as Private Charles Godfrey in the British sitcom, Dad’s Army. 

Assistant director Steve Clancy said there was a very strong comedic vein throughout the whole show.

This includes straight out comedy, awkward laughs at a characters expense and eventually black comedy, which adds to the roller coaster ride that underpins a good thriller.

Highlanders are invited to enjoy this play about passengers stranded overnight in a haunted railway station - no doubt they will watch on a cold Southern Highlands night that sets the tone.

The Ghost Train will be on July 18, 19, 25, 26 and August 1 at 8pm, and July 20 and 27 at 2pm at the Mittagong Playhouse.

Tickets range from $18 on opening night to $22 – booking fees apply.

Details: www.htg.org.au or 1300 657 559.