Extra Performances Scheduled for The Railway Children at Waterloo

Damian Cruden's critically acclaimed production of The Railway Children today announces extra Christmas performances during its final run at Waterloo Station. Mike Kenny's adaptation of E. Nesbit's novel has been playing to packed houses in the specially created auditorium since its opening earlier this year.

The Railway Children tells the story of Bobby, 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 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 current cast comprises David Baron (The Old Gentleman), Nicholas Bishop (Peter), Louisa Clein (Phyllis), Caroline Harker (Mother), Elizabeth Keates (Mrs Perks), Steven Kynman (Jim), Marshall Lancaster (Mr Perks), Roger May (Father/Doctor), Blair Plant (Shepansky), Amanda Prior (Mrs Viney) and Sarah Quintrell (Roberta) who are joined by Grace Rowe and Mat Ruttle and children from Lambeth and Southwark.

The cast (from 29 November) comprises David Baron (The Old Gentleman), Nicholas Bishop (Peter), Louisa Clein (Phyllis), Caroline Harker (Mother), Mark Holgate (District Super), Elizabeth Keates (Mrs Perks), Steve Kynman (Mr Perks), Roger May (Father/Doctor), Blair Plant (Shepansky), Amanda Prior (Mrs Viney), Sarah Quintrell (Roberta) and Mat Ruttle (Jim) who are joined by Grace Rowe and Kathryn Richie and children from Lambeth and Southwark.

The 1000 seat auditorium at Waterloo, created especially for this production, has been built with the audience seated either side of the original railway track, with action taking place both on the track and on the platforms either side. The Railway Children, which uses the old Gentleman's saloon carriage from the original classic film, also features Stirling Single, a period steam train from the National Railway Museum in York.

Directed by Damian Cruden, design by Joanna Scotcher, lighting by Richard G. Jones, with music by Christopher Madin and sound by Craig Vear, Mike Kenny's adaptation of The Railway Children was first produced by York Theatre Royal at the National Railway Museum, York, where it enjoyed two sell-out and critically acclaimed seasons in 2008 and 2009.

E. Nesbit's much loved children's book The Railway Children was first published in 1906 and has subsequently been adapted for the stage and screen, most famously in the 1970 film version directed by the late Lionel Jeffries and starring Jenny Agutter, Bernard Cribbins, Dinah Sheridan and Sally Thomsett.

The Railway Children, a York Theatre Royal production, is presented in London in association with the National Rail Museum by Jenny King and Matthew Gale for The Touring Consortium (Railway Children), Tristan Baker, Oliver Royds, PW Productions and Sue Scott Davison. The production has been made possible with the support of Welcome to Yorkshire, the official tourism agency for Yorkshire, BRB (Residuary) Ltd and Network Rail. The production is in support of the Railway Children Charity that aims to help homeless and runaway children throughout the world, with £1 per ticket sale donated to the charity.

The Railway Children is supported by Arts Council England.

Christmas and New Year Schedule

Monday 13 December 7.30pm
Tuesday 14 December no performance
Wednesday 15 December 7.30pm
Thursday 16 December 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Friday 17 December 7.30pm
Saturday 18 December 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Sunday 19 December 1pm & 5pm

Monday 20 December 7.30pm
Tuesday 21 December no performance
Wednesday 22 December 7.30pm
Thursday 23 December 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Friday 24 December 2.30pm
Saturday 25 December no performance
Sunday 26 December no performance

Monday 27 December 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Tuesday 28 December 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Wednesday 29 December 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Thursday 30 December 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Friday 31 December 2.30pm
Saturday 1 January no performance
Sunday 2 January 1pm & 5pm

General Listings Information

Dates until 2 January 2010
Address The Waterloo Station Theatre, Waterloo Station, SE1
Box Office 0871 297 0740
Performances Mondays and Wednesdays - Saturdays at 7.30pm
Thursdays and Saturdays matinees at 2.30pm matinees
Sundays at 1.00pm and 5.00pm with some Sundays at 2.30pm
Please check with box office or on website for schedule
Tickets £20.50 - £49.50
Including £1 donation to Railway Children Charity
Website www.railwaychildrenwaterloo.com

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