Olivier-award winner Marisa Carnesky has been creating successful shows for over a decade, winning numerous awards for Best Theatre and at Edinburgh Festival. She now has a new brainchild… Ghost Train, which is travelling to Blackpool Winter Gardens.
Originally rising in popularity in the 18th century among the wealthy gentry wishing to partake in a spot of sea bathing, and later known for its Victorian fairground and pier, Blackpool has suffered an identity crisis in recent years. Keen to illuminate the city once more, councils are conducting a ten-year regeneration project, with Ghost Train being one of the first alternative projects funded in the area.
It highlights the efforts being made to modernise the city and atmosphere while retaining the traditional personality of arts and quirky, frivolous entertainment. The city could become an alternative city break to Brighton for those looking for something a little more creative than slick city life, especially in these thrifty times when holidaying abroad is a hop too far.
Carnesky’s Ghost Train opened in Blackpool in October and employs local talent, giving the public the chance to experience award-winning theatre for under five measly pounds… maybe change for a chip butty and a crack at the claw machine afterwards. In February the Ghost Train will be taking centre stage at Showzam, a ten-day festival seeing Blackpool’s most iconic landmarks putting on eye-popping shows of ‘circus, magic and new variety’, opening Friday 13th February. England’s forgotten fairground could be brought back into action; maybe all this ghost town needs is a ghost train.
The ghost train is now in a much better location. Its now in its own purpose built building opposite the water park next to the Pleasure beach in the South Shore area of Blackpool. Its only open during the season and mainly at weekends. Hopefully it will be a great success and will open all week long during the summer.