Endearing and funny, this delightful production of Arlene Hutton’s Last Train to Nibroc, directed by Katharine Farmer, was well received by an enthusiastic audience last night in the Earl Cameron Theatre in City Hall. From the opening scene where May (Lily Nicksay) is sitting on a train reading, and Raleigh (Erik Odom) asks to sit in the unoccupied seat next to her, these two talented actors had the audience spellbound until the end 75 minutes later.

The story is simple. In December 1940, an eastbound cross-country train carries the bodies of the great American writers Nathanael West and F. Scott Fitzgerald. Also on board is May who shares her seat with a charming young flyer, Raleigh. Religious and bookish, May plans to be a missionary. Raleigh has been given a medical discharge and is heading to New York to be a writer. Discovering they are from neighbouring Appalachian towns, Raleigh decides to change trains for Kentucky, promising to take May to the next Nibroc Festival. Over the next two years, their paths continue to cross and an unlikely bond forms, changing their lives forever. Yet this simple story is surprisingly complex. As the two young people grapple with their everyday problems of love, life and happiness, they are also dealing with larger issues: struggling to find out who they are, while managing the expectations of others; discovering the true meaning of courage; coping with change imposed upon them by external forces; all against the background of the Second World War. As the relationship between them grows and develops over the ensuing two years, we see how each character matures and comes to grips with these issues and finds the connections they are seeking.

Lily Nicksay and Erik Odom are two of Los Angeles’ finest actors. Not only are they respected stage actors, with a host of nominations and awards under their belts, but they also have several screen credits to their name. Lily is perhaps best known for originating the role of Morgan in the ABC television show Boy meets World and Erik played the role of Peter in The Twilight Saga – Breaking Dawn Part 2.

As the Stage Raw reviewer, Jessica Salans, writes, Last Train to Nibroc “is a refreshing, lovely story, bursting with heart.” You still have a chance to see this poignant story brought to life tonight at 8pm. Tickets are still available for tonight’s performance from www.bdatix.bm. Look out for a full review of the performance in the coming days.