More than 300 people enjoyed two performances of a new play celebrating 150 years of passenger services on the Settle Carlisle Line.

Commissioned by the Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company, ‘Lives Along the Line’ tells the story of the iconic railway through the stories of the people living along the line through drama and music.

The play, written and produced by Joan Barnard and performed by The Vagabonds Theatre Group, includes the formation of the Friends of the Settle Carlisle Line, and the communities along the line’s fight to keep it open.

The premier performance at Appleby Public Hall on Saturday 4 July was followed by another sell-out show at Settle Victoria Hall on Sunday. 

In a special twist of fate, the Halifax Town supporter who made a passionate plea to save the line so he could go watch his team play their home games was, unbeknownst to the writer and cast, in the audience for one of the shows.

Andy Connell, a director of the Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company and a campaigner to save the line in the 1980s, was unaware he was featured in the play. Afterwards, he met with the playwright and producer, Joan Barnard and actor Chris Rose from The Vagabonds Theatre Group, who played him.

The community rail partnership will be building on the success of the show. The play has been recorded to create a film version, which will be available to schools to use as part of their railway-related projects and help pupils explore the railway’s history as part of their National Curriculum studies. 

Karen Morley-Chesworth, Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company’s community rail officer, said: “The audiences at both performances were delighted by the new production from Joan and the Vagabonds Theatre Group. The feedback from people as they left the shows, on the trains home and on social media has been amazing. Lives Along the Line has been a huge success, and we would like to thank Joan and all the actors for all their hard work, enthusiasm, and support of the Settle Carlisle Line.

“We are grateful to our funders: Northern, Avanti West Coast, TransPennine Express and LNER, without whose support this project would not have been possible.”

Keep up to date with future news, projects and events from Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company via their website.