Chris Walker plays The Signalman and John Burton plays The Traveller in Middle Ground Theatre Company's acclaimed production of Charles Dickens' ghostly masterpiece The Signalman. Hear their thoughts on the famous ghost story!

Tell us a little about The Signalman play

Chris: It’s based on a short novel by Charles Dickens and follows a signalman on an isolated stretch of train line who is haunted by visions of an impending disaster. We learn he has a ‘deep and terrible state of mind', which is portrayed within this beautifully written adaptation of the play. I remember watching the 1976 film and it frightened me to death! It is a scary piece of work, and I can’t wait for it to be on stage.

John: The Signalman is a classic short story by Charles Dickens and adapted for the stage by Francis Evelyn. I was in the Cotswolds when I first read this script, and I went to the White Hart Hotel to be on my own with a glass of red wine, and I read it from cover to cover. And as I was reading it, I got hairs on the back of my neck. That is the literacy talent of Dickens.

The story is a classic ghost story about a Signalman who's tormented by visions on the track and a traveller (whom I play) comes across the stretch of railway line and asks if he can come down and see him as he has a fascination with the railway. They end up getting to know each other over a few days and they talk about the visions the Signalman sees and hears whilst he's on duty. The Traveller tries to convince him these sightings are coincidences, a trick of the light or the wind. Towards the end of the play there is of course a big ‘reveal’ of what has been going on.

What attracted you to the role?

Chris: It’s an atmospheric and psychological thriller in so many ways. I haven't been on stage for twenty-nine years, the last time being in 1996 in the West End with The Changing Room by David Storey. I did a lot of stage work before then but after the West End it was all in front of the camera. Playing ‘The Signalman’ was the perfect opportunity to for me and I didn’t hesitate to say yes. It's a substantial part, and I can’t wait to get started.

John: I knew of the story and that was part of what drew me to the role. As a child, I viewed the BBC adaptation featuring Denholm Elliott and he was phenomenal. As a youngster it was horrific, and the scary vision portrayed in the film stayed with me for over forty-five years. When my agent asked me if I wanted to play The Traveller in the play adaptation the first thing that came to my mind was the frightening vision as portrayed by the film. So I read the story again and thought this is so good and the fact it has been adapted and broadened out for the stage was incredible. I also read the reviews and press cuttings of the previous tour of The Signalman by Middle Ground Theatre Company and kept thinking this is so good.

But even then, I've got to be honest, I was unsure as I have not been on stage for over twelve years. It was my friend Claudie Blakley who starred in Father Brown who helped me make my decision. She sent me a voice note and just said to me I would regret not taking the part and it would be a chance for me to be on stage, doing my craft. Her great faith persuaded me.

Are you a Dickens fan?

Chris: Of course! Who isn’t? He writes so beautifully well, and his language is superb. The adaptation we have is just fantastic, a real joy. I'm looking forward to playing a part in a different era after playing modern–day parts for many years. Dickens is different, and that is a lovely challenge.

John: I love A Christmas Carol, that is one my favourites, plus David Copperfield and A Tale of Two Cities. He is undoubtedly one of the best literary writers alongside Agatha Christie, his name alone brings in audiences. He is a legend, a brilliant writer.

What is it about Dickens that still manages to connect with people in the 21st century?

Chris: Dickens is storytelling at its best. He weaves magic and his characters are deep and meaningful. The way he presents his characters is fascinating. AI will never replace the writing of Dickens. It can try to copy but it will never be the real him.

John: That's a good question – it's because of the storytelling. It is all about the writing. You can say that about Shakespeare too, the drive of the storytelling, it's about great writing that still connects with people. Dickens of course is later than Shakespeare, but the writing is brilliant.

Why do people find ghost stories so enduring?

Chris: People like to be on the edge of their seat, to be sacred. People also love to laugh, to cry and to feel different emotions when watching or reading a play. We love being scared to death.

John: Because people want to be scared. The same reason people are drawn to going on roller coaster rides, they look for the biggest ride to go on so they can be frightened. And that is why people turn to ghost stories; they want to jump out of their seats and be frightened. In the theatre there is extra magic as the experience is intimate, and the audience can’t escape from their seats; they must watch as the story unfolds live in front of them.

Have you done much touring in the past? How do you find it?

Chris: I have done one nights and played in many tours with theatres across the country. But there's quite a lot on this tour that I haven't played before, so that's going to be interesting. I first went on tour in 1984 with Up and Under with Hull Truck Theatre and that toured all over the country. It is such a joy with The Signalman that I get to stay with one theatre for a week before moving on to the next.

John: Yes I've previously toured. I did a Peter Nichols play about twenty years ago, and my last tour was about 12 years ago called The Glee Club. It's about a group of Yorkshire miners who sang in a glee club and their individual stories. We toured all over the UK, including some of the venues we are going to with The Signalman. There are a few theatres I have not been to before and I am excited about visiting them.

Touring is like Marmite; you love it or hate it. I personally love it, going to new places, meeting the locals, I play golf and run so I can see different areas to pursue these passions, and I like eating out at different restaurants. The flip side is that you're living out of a suitcase, but I personally enjoy touring.

Do you have any connections to any of the places we will be touring?

Chris: Harrogate is nearest to me being in Yorkshire, but I'm so looking forward to visiting all the theatres. I do not know Salisbury very well so that will be interesting, and I'm really looking forward to Jersey at the end of the tour.

What do you do away from acting to unwind?

Chris: My passion is cooking! So I'll be cooking during the tour as well as enjoying some eating out.

John: Theatre is embedded in my heart, and I like to see friends’ performances. I am happy to do this alone or in company. I enjoy eating out as well as playing golf and running. I like to keep busy!