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'A Train to Woking' - New London Play
Surrey, United Kingdom
Aim
'A Train to Woking' is an original play, based on the history of the London Necropolis Railway; exploring grief, loss and human connection.
Fleur de Lis Theatre Company reimagines well-loved classical works, as well as producing original pieces based in history, utilising visually spectacular skills such as; stage combat, puppetry, physical theatre, dance, stunts and so much more. Our productions blend tradition with innovation, captivating modern audiences.
We proudly champion arts education across the UK, through expert-led workshops and actively nurture careers in the creative industries by providing employment, networking and professional development opportunities.
Fleur de Lis was founded in 2021 by Megan Barnes-Rolf (CEO/Artistic Director) and Christian Reid (CSO/Co-Artistic Director).
We are so proud to announce our latest project (and first original play) is written by our co-founder Christian Reid.
It's the 19th century and London is plagued with disease. The overcrowded graveyards are unable accommodate the rate of fatality and the city needs a solution. As a means of response, the deceased must be transported out of the city and to their final resting place. All aboard 'A Train to Woking.'
With direct connection to the history of the time, our play uses the London Necropolis Railway as a literal vehicle, to explore the emotions we experience in both life and death. The story follows the journey of its recently deceased passengers, whilst the tour itself retraces the same route the train once took. As the train chugs along its somber route, passengers from different walks of life share their stories; revealing unexpected connections, moments of reflection, and a rich tapestry of human emotions, making the audience both laugh and ponder the universal experiences of loss and the legacies we leave behind.
The production will be touring along the exact route once taken by the historic Necropolis Railway - from Waterloo to Brookwood. Just like the original funeral train, our journey follows the line west, with performances staged at venues near local train stations along the way.
Fittingly, our final stop will be Brookwood Cemetery itself, the same destination where every Necropolis journey came to rest. A tour through history, grief, and the tracks that carried both.
Fun fact! You can still take the train from Waterloo to Brookwood station and the train will drop you just a short walk away from the old cemetery platforms.
Concept costume artwork (left to right): Conductor, Mr, Miss, Sir, Ma'am, Child.
Concept photography: lighting, staging - minimalist.
Concept set design artwork: light bars at the back to create dramatic lighting effects, two chairs to resemble the train seating and smoke effects throughout.
Here is a short trailer we made with the incredible videographer Connor Hatch (@hatch.videography) to help promote the project. This video shows an excerpt of a monologue featured in the show, using similar lighting and set design that will be featured in the final show.
We hope this gives you a taste of what is yet to come!
We have already garnered a wide array of partners willing to support this project, both at a regional and national level. We couldn't be more grateful for the support we have received and without them, none of this would be possible. We have been genuinely moved by the belief and backing this project has inspired so far.
We are always looking for more people and companies to collaborate with, so if you are interested in this project and think your company could help us in any way, please get in touch at [email protected]
"This project was created at the request of the writer's father - Philip Turner. He often delved into forgotten history documentaries online and it was on one such occasion that he discovered the story of the London Necropolis Railway. Tickled at the idea of the deceased having to pay first, second and third class tickets (despite them already being dead!) he encouraged the writer to turn it into a play.
Promise made, the earliest concepts of 'A Train to Woking' began to unfold.
Unfortunately, the writers father never got to see the play make it to the stage - passing away only a few weeks later from stage 4 kidney cancer.
This tour is a dedication to him."
"Absolutely breathtaking - one moment I was laughing out loud, the next I got goosebumps. Genuinely incredible." - script feedback.
www.fleurdelistheatre.co.uk | @fleurdelis_theatre | [email protected]
This project successfully funded on 9th October 2025