By the pricking of my thumbs, something spooky this way comes… the Downpatrick and County Down Railway has had its fair share of ghosts and ghouls over the years, but nothing quite like its latest arrival – Dr Frankenstein himself.
Strange lights and noises have been reported around the heritage railway’s museum yard in recent weeks, and it seems the chaos of Halloween night has left the good Doctor with a problem. Several of his creations appear to have escaped into the County Down countryside, and he is now calling on the public to help him round them up.
“I had to flee my castle in Transylvania and was looking for somewhere I could conduct my experiments in peace,” the Doctor explained when we caught up with him this week. “Somewhere with lots of space and a ready supply of fresh parts.”
Asked if he meant the locomotives and machinery at the museum, he paused. “No, I don’t mean… well, maybe a little. Yes, there are some very useful bodies around the place. I could do with a strong man for my next project. I’ve had my eye on a volunteer or two.”
Pressed on what sort of doctor he actually is, Frankenstein was quick to defend his reputation. “There are some who call me mad, but I’m not. I suppose I’m part biologist, part surgeon. I’m always trying to push the boundaries of what we can do with life. Death does not need to be the end.”
The Doctor admits that some of his experiments may have wandered off during the Halloween night activities, and he needs help to track them down. He’s now summoning brave members of the public to join his recovery effort on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 November, when The Curse of the Phantom Flyer takes over the Downpatrick and County Down Railway.
“Whatever you do, don’t get too close to them,” he warned. “They look a lot like you and me, only I think I might have left them a bit long before we dug them up. I made the perfect couple – if only they’d do what they’re told. Darn things got sentient and I think they’re trying to set up home near the river.”
“I need a crowd of people,” he said. “Wear your best and most frightening costume and let’s scare them into submission.”
This year’s show marks Avalard Productions’ third Halloween event at the railway, featuring a new storyline and characters inspired by Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. The kid-friendly immersive performance, suitable for all ages, blends classic horror with comedy and audience participation, taking visitors through the historic railway site and on board a heritage train into the dark County Down countryside.
Avalard’s director Robert JE Simpson leads the cast as Dr Frankenstein, joined by Geoff Hatt, Marcus Keeley, and Debbie McCormack. “Every year we build something new,” Simpson said. “By staging this after Halloween, families get one last chance to enjoy the season. It’s a Halloween encore before winter truly sets in.”
Performances run at 3.00 pm, 4.15 pm, 5.30 pm on both days. Tickets are £17 per person or £60 for a family. Infants under 12 months travel free. Children’s tickets include face-painting by Kaz-a-Doodle.
Tickets and full details are available at www.downrail.co.uk