The Girl on the Train – A Fragmented Mind, a Fractured Life
There’s something deeply unnerving about watching a story unfold when you’ve been given no breadcrumbs to follow. That’s exactly how The Girl on the Train gripped us. No exposition, no hand-holding—just movement, emotion, and fragmented truths left for us to untangle. It was like contemporary dance at times—slow, deliberate, expressive—leaving us to interpret every raised hand, every pause, every crumpled fall to the ground.
The Void and the Vices
One of the most powerful metaphors was the painting of “the void.” That hit. The idea that everyone walks around with their own void to fill. Some people reach for love, others for alcohol, control, obsession—Rachel, our girl on the train, reached for all of them, trying to plug the gap left behind by trauma, heartbreak, and deep-rooted self-blame.
You could see it building. Her exhaustion. The sense that she was barely holding herself together. And then that moment—that moment on the floor with Tom—it clicked. It wasn’t just chaotic behaviour. It was memory, it was pain, it was a history she hadn’t escaped. It was him. And it made you want to shout “Get up, girl!” even though you knew she couldn’t. Not yet.
Control in Disguise
There was such a sharp contrast between the chaos of Rachel’s actions and the calculated control of the men in her life. It’s easy to judge a woman spiralling, easy to say she’s “just drunk” or “unstable.” But look a little closer and you’ll see the puppet strings—one man introducing her to drinking, then discarding her for falling into it. Another shaping her routine, her narrative, even when he’s no longer physically present. That element of control masked as love? That’s the real horror show.
Even her continued presence on the train—same route, same time—felt like she was trapped in a loop built for someone else’s convenience.
Layers of Grief and Guilt
By the time Rachel reached her emotional climax, you could feel the weight of her past hanging off her like soaked clothes. When she finally spoke her truth, I already had my head in my hands. I knew what was coming. And yet, it didn’t make it any easier to hear. The kind of guilt she carried? That stays with you for life. It gets in your bones. It sours every relationship. And sometimes, it turns your own memories against you.
And yet, there was therapy. There was one man—her psychiatrist—who actually listened, who helped. He didn’t try to control. He guided. That is the kind of male presence we rarely get to see enough of onstage.
Aesthetic Notes: Wardrobe & Scene Transitions
Okay but let’s talk wardrobe goals. Megan’s outfits? Obsessed. She rocked DMs with floaty dresses layered over tops—so effortlessly cool. I was mentally shopping my own wardrobe thinking, I could do that… couldn’t I? Props to costume design for reflecting personality through style.
And the set design? Loved the use of lighting and shadows to shift between memories and present day. Having Rachel narrate while we simultaneously watched her past unfold onstage? Powerful. Seamless. It made the trauma feel raw and present.
Final Thoughts
At first, I thought I was walking into a story about a train. Something literal. But no—the journey wasn’t on tracks. It was in her mind. In her routine. In the slow chug of grief and loss and loneliness. The girl on the train wasn’t going anywhere new. She was just replaying the past on loop. Until she wasn’t.
This one sat heavy. And if you’ve ever blamed yourself for something you couldn’t change—or felt like a passenger in your own life—it’ll sit heavy with you too.
More Stagey Magic at the Churchill Theatre
The Churchill Theatre in Bromley has become one of my favourite local haunts for theatre — I’ve seen some absolute gems here recently, including:
What’s On at Churchill Theatre Bromley — May 2026
Introduction May is shaping up to be a brilliant month at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley….
Midsomer Murders: The Killings at Badger’s Drift Review
This Midsomer Murders review looks at The Killings at Badger’s Drift at the Churchill Theatre….
What’s On at Churchill Theatre, Bromley February 2026
February continues the theatre season at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley, with a mix of touring…
The Girl on the Train – A Fragmented Mind, a Fractured Life
There’s something deeply unnerving about watching a story unfold when you’ve been given no breadcrumbs…
Boys from the Blackstuff Review – A Story That Still Hits Hard 40 Years Later
A Powerful Reflection on Working-Class Struggles Boys from the Blackstuff review – This stage adaptation…
What’s On at The Churchill Theatre February 2025
What’s On at The Churchill Theatre February 2025 16th to 28th, The Churchill Theatre presents…
More Stagey Fletcher family fun
- The Creakers – Based on Tom Fletcher’s book, this show had puppetry, bangers, and a brilliant environmental message.
- There’s a Monster in Your Show – A delightful, interactive show for little ones, adapted from Tom’s hit book series.
- The Girl on the Train – Emotional, intense, and thought-provoking — scroll up for my full breakdown.
Coming soon to the Churchill stage:
- There’s a Dinosaur in Your Show: The Rock Show – Tom Fletcher’s dino-mite musical adventure lands soon — great for little theatre-goers!
- Calamity Jane – Starring the wonderful Carrie Hope Fletcher, Tom’s sister and a West End icon in her own right. Expect boots, belts, and belting.
