Have your tickets ready for drama

Directed by Max Stafford-Clark, this compelling Out of Joint and National Theatre production tackles the controversial issue of rail privatisation .

Whether you travel by train, work on the railways or simply enjoy gripping true to life drama make a date to watch The Permanent Way.

David Hare recently wrote the screenplay for the film The Hours, starring Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman and Julianne Moore. For this new stage production, renowned director Max Stafford-Clark and writer David Hare gathered material from the first-hand accounts of those most intimately involved in Britain's railways, from every level of the system.

Funny, tragic and compelling the voices of the public became an extraordinary parable of British mismanagement, which raises questions about the recent history of the country.

In 1991, before an election they did not expect to win, the Conservative government made the fateful decision to privatise the railways.

Now, 12 years later, the public subsidises the industry more lavishly than ever before.

David Hare tells the story of a dream gone sour in this production.

Director Max Stafford-Clark said: "In February I began a two week period of research with David Hare and a group of actors. There was no script at this point, just a list of phone numbers and contacts with people who had been involved at different levels in the railway industry.

"We met bankers and civil servants involved in the original privatisation, as well as several directors of main train operating companies.

"We also talked to the bereaved and survivors of train crashes.

"Some of the actors spent time working as ticket collectors, clad in train uniforms and others spoke to and observed a track gang for several days. Everybody was happy to talk and to tell their story.

"From these stories and these meetings David crafted this compelling play."

The Permanent Way

Theatre Royal Bath

Tuesday until December 6