The production, originally produced by York Theatre Royal at the National Railway Museum in York, where it enjoyed two sell-out and critically acclaimed seasons in 2008 and 2009, will reopen there following its London return, beginning performances July 31 for a run through Sept. 6.
It is staged in London in a purpose-built 1,000-seat theatre, complete with a railway track and platforms and with a state-of-the-art heating system. The site, on King’s Boulevard, behind King’s Cross Station, has been loaned to the production for the duration of the run by Google, who own the land.
The production has also previously played in Toronto in 2011 in a temporary theatre built at the base of CN Tower in Roundhouse Park.
Directed by Damian Cruden, The Railway Children tells the story of "Bobbie, Peter and Phyllis, three children whose lives change dramatically when their father is mysteriously taken away. They move from London to a cottage in rural Yorkshire with their mother, where they befriend the local railway porter, Perks, and embark on a magical journey of discovery, friendship and adventure. But the mystery remains – where is Father, and is he ever coming back?"
The book was first published in 1906 and has subsequently been adapted for the stage and screen, most famously in the 1970 film version directed by Lionel Jeffries and starring Jenny Agutter, Bernard Cribbins, Dinah Sheridan and Sally Thomsett. The production features design by Jo Scotcher, lighting by Richard G. Jones, music by Christopher Madin and sound by Craig Vear.
The cast is led by Jeremy Swift, best known for playing Magie Smith's butler Spratt in TV's "Downton Abbey" as Perks and Caroline Harker as Mother. Also in the cast are Louise Calf, Clare Corbett, Jack Hardwick, Mark Hawkins, Connie Hyde, Andrew Loudon, Serena Manteghi, Blair Plant and Moray Treadwell, joined by a children’s ensemble made up of four teams of ten children aged between 9 and 15.
It is presented in London by Tristan Baker & Charlie Parsons for Runaway Entertainment, Oliver Royds for BOS Productions and Sue Scott Davison, in association with York Theatre Royal and the National Railway Museum.
To book tickets, contact the box office on 0844 871 7604 or visit www.railwaychildrenlondon.com.
