Join the cast of the Victorian-era immortal horror troupe as they have gone mobile. They hitch a ride on to Tavares’ Royal Palm Railway
There’s nothing more mesmerizing than to have sat in awe at Eustis’ Bay Street Players venue as I have watched and heard the retelling of Victorian-era macabre stories on stage. But now…now Phantasmagoria is taking to the rails in Tavares, Florida on an 80-minute train ride involving this cast of creepers taking on a whole new environment of fun-filled, tale-telling adventures.
Not only Edgar Allen Poe, Dickens, and other original authors will be involved in this story telling, but also tales of old Florida lore. All will come to a head in an “all culminating in the frightening revelation of “The Legend of the Ghost of the Royal Palm Railway”, according to Phantasmagoria’s Facebook page.
The following is a press release from the Phantasmagoria troupe announcing their debut:
“By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes. . . .”
makes your Phantasmagoria rail performance different than that of the staged performance?
We love doing events with small troupes – which this is. Many people don’t realize the shows where we do a 3 person up to maybe a 7 person small storytelling troupe – which we do all throughout the year. In addition, we have had a blast exploring not just stories of literature and folklore, but great tales of Ghost trains, local tales of ghosts and presences, and original tales of hauntings.2. What are some of your original stories, I think the “The Ghost of Royal Palm Railway”, is based on Florida lore/history, is it not? As I’m sure Florida natives can appreciate such things.
We share a number of tales of Florida Hauntings, and mixed in are a few treats and tricks of our own creation. The audience won’t know what is true, what is custom created, and what is conjecture.3. I’d be curious how the experience would work in a railroad passenger car since it’s not as spaceous?
Simply storytelling. More similar to when we do the shows in museums or libraries – a smaller show that is more storytelling and intimate.4. Have you already developed a map of things ahead for future railroad storytelling lore?
We are planning ongoing shows. Same with the St Louis Ghost Cruises we are doing out in Missouri. 
The stories they call!
Tony Smejek
Native Floridian who his highly passionate about all things 80s retro, geeky, sci-fi, and just about anything pop-culture. Tony enjoys writing about this very topic as well as immerse himself into the culture by attending events. There's nothing more fun than rubbing elbows with other interested cohorts of the craft.
