The Girl on the Train: A Haunting Ride Through Mystery and Redemption

Rachel Watson is a woman derailed. Once on a promising track, her life now moves in endless circles, stuck in a loop of self-destruction. She appears to be the engineer of her own train wreck, a character who, at first glance, garners little sympathy. As an audience member, you want to cry out, “Put the bottle down, get a job, and move on!” But when a late-night fatality occurs in a shadowy underpass tunnel, it becomes harder to determine whether Rachel is merely a lost passenger in life’s journey or a victim herself.

Kanata Theatre’s production of The Girl on the Train, based on Paula Hawkins’ bestselling novel and adapted for the stage by Rachel Wagstaff and Duncan Abel, takes us on a suspenseful ride through the fractured memories and unreliable narration of a woman trying to piece her life back together. In stark contrast to the steady forward motion of the trains Rachel so obsessively travels on, her own life is stalled at a metaphorical signal, unable to move past the wreckage of her past mistakes. But when she learns that the murder victim is Megan Hipwell—an old neighbour she’s only observed from the window of a commuter train—she becomes determined to uncover the truth.

Shirley Manh delivers an excellent performance as Rachel, capturing both her spiralling desperation and her reluctant resolve. Kanata theatregoers will recognize Elizabeth Foulds Rodgers, who portrays Megan Hipwell, from last season’s Baskerville. In a departure from her previous comedic role, Foulds Rodgers fully embodies Megan’s tragic character.

The rest of the cast fills out this psychological thriller with solid performances. Cameron Bishop plays Rachel’s ex-husband, Tom, with just enough charm to make you question his motives—does he genuinely care, or is there something more sinister lurking beneath his affable exterior? Ashley Gillard is the new Mrs Watson, who lives the seemingly perfect life. Michael Clarke as Scott Hipwell, Megan’s grieving husband, carries an eerie stillness—too cool and composed for a man who just lost his wife. Nandeesh Kumar plays the enigmatic therapist Kamal Abdic, while Chisholm Pothier brings a grizzled edge to D.I. Gaskill, the detective tasked with untangling the mystery. Despite the usual jitters of opening night, the cast delivered their lines with precision, keeping the tension taut throughout.

ABOVE (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT): Scott Hipwell, played by Michael Clarke, and Meghan Hipwell, played by Elizabeth Foulds Rodgers. Rachel Watson, played by Shirley Manh, and D.I. Gaskell, played by Chisholm Pothier. Tom Watson, played by Cameron Bishop, and Anna Watson, played by Ashley Gillard. Kamal, played by Nandeesh Kumar, with Shirley Manh.

The production is helmed by Susan Monaghan, a seasoned veteran of Ottawa’s community theatre scene. We at OLM last saw her directing 12 Angry Jurors in 2023, and once again, her attention to detail shines. Monaghan’s staging choices add depth to the performance, guiding the audience through the labyrinth of Rachel’s fractured reality. The use of light and shadow mirrors the murkiness of memory, while the fluid scene transitions keep the narrative rolling forward like the train that Rachel clings to for purpose.

The theme of momentum—both literal and metaphorical—plays out beautifully as Rachel’s journey shifts from helpless inertia to a determined pursuit of truth. Her decision to stop drinking, even temporarily, marks a moment when she finally seizes control of the brakes, determined to steer her own fate rather than be a mere passenger in the chaos. And, as with all great mysteries, there is indeed light at the end of the tunnel.

Kanata Theatre continues its tradition of high-quality community productions with The Girl on the Train, a thriller that will keep audiences on edge until the final station stop.

Catch The Girl on the Train at the Ron Maslin Playhouse in Kanata until February 15, 2025. Even if you don’t live in the west end, the theatre is just a short drive from downtown, with plenty of free parking, making it an easy and worthwhile trip.

Several performances are already sold out; visit kanatatheatre.ca to book your seat before they’re all gone!

Photos: Alex Henkelman Photography