Speak of the Devil: Eerie New Play Set on a Delayed Train Heads to The Hope Theatre This October

What happens when a routine train journey grinds to a halt and the passengers trapped inside begin to realise that something is deeply, disturbingly wrong? That's the question at the heart of Speak of the Devil, a brand new one-act play arriving at The Hope Theatre in Islington this autumn. Presented by The Matchbox Company, a newly formed six-person troupe, the production marks both the company's London debut and a significant step for emerging playwright and director Elise Simond.

Running from 13 October to 25 October 2026, with press night on Tuesday 13 October at 7pm, the show promises a taut 75 minutes (with no interval) of creeping unease, dark humour, and unexpectedly moving character work. If you're a fan of off-West End fringe theatre that takes risks and delivers something genuinely original, this is one to watch.

What Is Speak of the Devil About?

The premise is deceptively simple. The 9am train to Penzance has hit an unexpected delay. In carriage E, a handful of strangers find themselves stuck together with nowhere to go: a journalist chasing a story, an actor rehearsing for a callback, a mechanic with a packed schedule, a dentist running behind, and a young girl who simply needs to get home.

As the hours stretch on, the passengers do what British people do best: they attempt to fill the silence with polite conversation, personal anecdotes, and crossword puzzles. But something isn't quite right. With every exchange, the on-board ticket inspector seems increasingly unsettled, as though the passengers' idle chatter is dredging up memories best left buried.

Then the details start to slip. There's something squirming in a carry-on bag. The countryside visible through the windows has been replaced by an ocean view. The tide is rising. And in true British fashion, everyone is determined to avoid making a fuss. The play captures a brilliant tension between the everyday and the uncanny, asking how long we can maintain polite normality when reality itself begins to fray.

A Fresh Voice in London Fringe Theatre

Speak of the Devil is the second play from Elise Simond, a playwright from South-East London whose work has already attracted attention in academic and literary circles. During her time at the University of Sussex, she penned her debut play, Your Dead Customer. She went on to receive a distinction from Queen Mary University of London for original works including chain-ging and Into Brixton. Her writing has been published by the Penn State University Press, and she has performed through SlamKingsX, representing texts from BBC Young Writers.

Beyond writing, Simond has worked internationally at Fundus Theatre in Hamburg and founded her own drama club for children. For Speak of the Devil, she takes on the dual role of writer and director, shaping a production that she describes as "a funny and deeply personal character study, informed by inescapable and unexplainable circumstances." It's a confident creative vision that suggests a playwright unafraid of blending the mundane with the surreal.

Meet The Matchbox Company

The production also serves as the launchpad for The Matchbox Company, a new ensemble bringing together a diverse group of performers. The cast features Ethan Beckley as The Inspector, Richard Dodgson as The Actor, Zoë Benefer as The Girl, Georgina Klovig-Skelton as The Dentist, Rachael Thornton as The Journalist, and Tom O'Reilly as The Mechanic. Anna Moorey provides voiceover work, while additional voice performances come from award-winning contributors Bobby Zizza, Dom Zizza, and Georgina Klovig-Skelton.

Beckley brings over a decade of formal actor training from both Redroofs Theatre School and Italia Conti Academy, providing a strong foundation for the central role of the increasingly troubled Inspector. For a debut company, the assembled talent suggests serious ambition, and The Hope Theatre has long been one of London's most reliable incubators for exactly this kind of promising new work.

The Hope Theatre: A Vital Fringe Venue

Tucked away above a pub on Upper Street in Islington, The Hope Theatre has earned a reputation as one of the capital's most exciting fringe spaces. With just 50 seats, it offers an intimacy that larger venues simply cannot replicate, and for a play like Speak of the Devil, set in the confined space of a single train carriage, that closeness should amplify the tension considerably.

The venue has a track record of championing new writing and giving platforms to emerging companies. Previous productions at The Hope have gone on to transfer to larger stages and festivals, making it a genuine springboard for the London theatre ecosystem. For The Matchbox Company, securing a run here is both a vote of confidence and a smart strategic choice.

Why This Production Stands Out

London's off-West End scene is bursting with new writing, so what makes Speak of the Devil worth your attention? Several things stand out. First, the premise is genuinely intriguing. Train-set dramas are a well-loved tradition in theatre and film (think Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express or even Strangers on a Train), but Simond's script appears to push into more surreal, almost horror-adjacent territory. The image of an ocean appearing where fields should be, of something alive in a carry-on bag, suggests a play that isn't content with mere character study but wants to unsettle its audience on a deeper level.

Second, the play's exploration of transient relationships feels timely. We live in an era of constant movement and distracted connection. The idea that the people you barely notice on your daily commute might hold the key to something profound, or something terrifying, resonates in a way that feels distinctly contemporary.

Finally, there's the company itself. New theatre companies inject vital energy into London's scene, and The Matchbox Company's decision to debut with original writing rather than a safe revival speaks volumes about their artistic ambitions.

Practical Information and How to Book

Here are the key details you need:

Venue: The Hope Theatre, Upper Street, Islington, London
Dates: Tuesday 13 October to Saturday 25 October 2026
Performance times: Tuesday to Saturday evenings at 7pm
Press Night: Tuesday 13 October at 7pm
Running time: 1 hour 15 minutes, no interval
Tickets: Available through The Hope Theatre box office

With a limited run of just under two weeks in a 50-seat venue, tickets for Speak of the Devil are likely to move quickly once they go on sale. If the production generates the kind of buzz that its premise and pedigree suggest, expect seats to be snapped up fast. Keep an eye on The Hope Theatre's website for booking details as they are confirmed.

Should You Book?

If you enjoy fringe theatre that balances dark wit with genuine unease, Speak of the Devil looks like a strong prospect. The combination of a confined setting, a compelling mystery, and the slow unravelling of British politeness under pressure has all the ingredients for a gripping night out. At just 75 minutes with no interval, it's designed to hold you in its grip from start to finish.

For theatregoers who love discovering new shows before they break through, this is exactly the kind of production worth taking a chance on. The Hope Theatre's intimate setting means you'll be right there in carriage E with the characters, which could make for an unforgettable experience.

Looking for more to see across London? Browse our full list of shows currently on sale, explore the latest plays in the West End and beyond, or check out our theatre news and features to stay up to date with everything happening on the London stage.