By William Ivory
Nottingham Playhouse
6–25 July 2026

Many people must have shared the astonishment of Peter Davies, the chairman of the real-life Market Deeping Model Railway Club, when he heard of plans to turn the club’s plight into a play.

In 2019, the club was aiming to win top prize at the Stamford Model Railway annual show for the third time in a row. That would mean the club would keep the trophy. But on the eve of the show vandals broke in and destroyed the club’s layouts, ruining years of work which traumatised some of the members.

Writer William Ivory and Nottingham Playhouse artistic director Adam Penford realised the outpouring of support in the form of train gifts and donations would make a play. The Market Deeping Model Railway Club proves how right they were.

This play isn’t just for model railway enthusiasts: its themes of dedication, emotional investment, passion and generosity resonate with theatregoers whatever they might do in their spare time. Ivory, who spent many hours with club members to find out about their experiences and ensure the modelling details were accurate, has come up with a gem of script which is both funny and witty.

The first half introduces us to several characters, explaining what it is about model railways that attracts them and outlining their individual traits. Adrian Scarborough leads the cast, superbly conveying the stick-to-the-rules attitude of club chairman Graham who tries to control the members’ friction towards one another. “We can’t have rancour if we want to attract new members,” he proclaims—although they haven’t had any newcomers for the past 11 years.

Ivory deftly reveals the members are ”old, white and male”—until Jordan turns up, comedian Babatunde Aléshé injecting a modern outlook and a knowledge of model trains which immediately impresses his new friends.

There are exceptional performances from Geoffrey Beevers as George, the vicar who looks to be on his last legs and comes up with uncharacteristic language and behaviour; Matt Bardock, a cynical, sarcastic, short-tempered Chris who never sees the good in anything; and Deka Walmsley as Ken, a former soldier who eventually opens up about his traumatic, tragic experiences in the Falklands.

Paul Bradley relishes the role of affectionate, quirky Jerry while James Bradshaw is the stoic Neil who tries to see the best in everyone. Lucy Briers excels as Linda, Graham’s wife who tries to convince him that model railways are just a hobby and he should show as much passion for her as he does his pastime.

The first half ends with four vandals smashing up the layouts as the Sex Pistols’ “Anarchy in the UK” blasts out of the speakers. You feel for the club members whose optimism about winning the trophy again is replaced by despair and despondency.

After the interval, the mood changes when support comes flooding in from Germany, the United States and Australia. Model railway enthusiast Rod Stewart rings Graham with an offer of help, and the members are determined to start again.

The Market Deeping Model Railway Club has a complicated set and, although slick, some of the scenes take a while to change. But video of railways and appropriate music mean the audience doesn’t get bored during the transitions.

Ivory and Penford certainly know what topics can be turned into a play. With The Market Deeping Model Railway Club, they’ve come up with a first-class offering that will no doubt enhance their track record and is just the ticket for ardent theatregoers as well as model railway enthusiasts.

* This review originally appeared on the British Theatre Guide website