[Ad-gifted] E. Nesbit’s The Railway Children has long held a cherished place in British storytelling and its current staging at Stoke Rep Theatre. The production offers a fresh opportunity to reconnect with this enduring classic.
I had the chance to attend this production last night, which brings to life the story of three siblings forced to adapt to a new world after their father’s sudden disappearance. Set against the backdrop of the railway, the play blends nostalgia, adventure and emotional depth in equal measure.
This adaptation captures the warmth and resilience at the heart of Nesbit’s narrative while inviting a modern audience to reflect on themes of family, hope and kindness. With its intimate setting and committed performances, Stoke Rep Theatre’s interpretation promises a heartfelt theatrical experience that honours the original story while making it feel immediate and alive for today’s viewers. Keep on reading to find out what I thought of the show.
The original story: The Railway Children was written in 1905. It is about a suburban London family – Father, Mother, Roberta (Bobbie), Peter and Phyllis – who are living a comfortable life until their father is unexpectedly taken away ‘on business’ one night after two mysterious visitors call. He has, of course, been wrongfully imprisoned for selling intelligence to spies. As the family income dries up, the servants are dismissed and Mother takes the three children to live a simple life in the Yorkshire countryside in a house not far from the railway.
They learn to cope with poverty, hunger and the cold but, being young, robust and ever hopeful, they soon befriend all manner of characters, from local villagers to a mysterious Russian visitor – and an old gentleman passenger who waves to them as he passes by on the London train. One day, after the children see a landslide over the railway tracks, they avert disaster by turning the girls’ new red petticoats into danger flags and waving them to alert the train driver. This brings them much acclaim by the community, including allowing them to befriend the Old Gentleman on the train. The children yearn to be reunited with their father, and it is through their adventures by the railway and the friendships they build that Father is eventually reunited with them.
The play
The stage props are intriguing – items of furniture painted in camouflage surround huge double doors in an archway. The cast are members of the Stoke Rep Players in association with the Young Rep, a full 37 actors spanning three generations. The younger members introduce the play with a dance/mime sequence and then we are introduced to the household in London, on the eve of Peter’s birthday, just before Father is taken away.
The narrative is delivered artfully by the children (and others) addressing the audience with their recollections of what happened – and then enacting events. It is a fun, playful and clever piece of storytelling that allows us to know perfectly what is going on while using our imaginations to follow the story. Bobbie (Roberta, the eldest, played by Florence Thorne), Peter (the middle child, played by Alex Hiles) and little Phyllis (played by Sophia Thomas) are immediately engaging and charismatic. The confidence of these young actors is remarkable! A wide range of personalities brought life to the many people whom the children encounter, from the family cook (Bev Richardson) to the station porter, Perks (Andy Shingler) – not to forget the mysterious Russian author (Ollie Leece) who literally fell off the train and got taken in by Mother (Justine Cope).
Yorkshire people had Yorkshire accents. The costumes were just enough to take us back in time – although they could have made more of those famous red petticoats – and the cast became believable Edwardians. Of course, the train reveal itself beyond the tunnel as those big double doors opened in a cloud of steam, smoke and light!
After the Old Gentleman (wonderfully portrayed by Richard Masters) had made an appearance and befriended the children, and the play ended as Father (Steven Wooldridge) was emotionally reunited with his family, more than half of us stood up to give the Players the ovation they deserved.
What I thought of tonight’s performance
This is a fantastic production. Laura Harvey has directed quite something here. There should have been no empty seats in the theatre, and it is my dearest wish that the Rep Players get a full house for every performance of The Railway Children. These are amateurs who act like professionals, and they are an absolute pleasure to watch.
The theatre bills The Railway Children as ‘Steam & Sooty Surprises… capturing the essence of the original narrative while infusing it with fresh energy’, Had I read this beforehand, I might have passed on, assuming it was another tiresome modern rewrite of a classic. I am so glad I didn’t! In reality, the production is faithful to the original story, buzzing with energy, sincere in the portrayal of its characters and captivating to watch. Please do treat yourself and take a friend to see it this week.
Cast Details
Bobbie – Florence Thorne on 14, 16, 18 April. Izzy Beattie on 15, 17, 18 April matinee
Peter – Alex Hiles on 14, 16, 18 April. Scarlett Nichols on 15, 17, 18 April matinee
Phyllis – Sophia Thomas on 14, 16, 18 April. Issy Baddeley on 15, 17, 18 April matinee
Mother – Justine Cope
Father – Steven Wooldridge
Perks – Andy Shingler
The Old Gentleman – Richard Masters
Mr Szezepansky – Ollie Leece
Mrs Viney – Chris Lockett
Mrs Brill – Bev Richardson
Mrs Perks – Nicci Jae Chirnside
Mrs Hurst – Gill Plant
The Super – Richard Morrey
Mr Rushworth – John Stone
Mr Sugden – Bob Flower
Jones – Zak Parkes
Butler/Dr Phillips – Jason Whitehurst
Mabel Sutcliffe – Fraya Wood
Frances Garbutt – Ruby Chadwick
Jim Dixon – Marcus Hood
Maid/Dr Grainger – Lizzie Daily-Hunt
Elsie Perks – Lyra Tozer-Pennington on 14, 16, 18 April eve. Skylar Middleton on 15, 17, 18 April matinee
Amy Perks – Edie Stern on 14, 16, 18 April eve. Charlotte Naismith on 15, 17, 18 April matinee
Jenny Jackson – Abbie McGregor-Pencz on 14, 16, 18 April eve. Ellie Baker on 15, 17, 18 April matinee
Arthur Armitage – Isaac Elks on 14, 16, 18 April eve. Dylan Upex on 15, 17, 18 April matinee Iris Witty – Hansa Duddukuri on 14, 16, 18 April eve. Amelia Barnett on 15, 17, 18 April matinee
Gwen Crossley – Fern Grant on 14, 16, 18 April eve. Freyja Barnett on 15, 17, 18 April matinee
Rosie Turvey – Olive Thompson
Creative Details
Stage manager – Terry Wright
Master carpenter – Tony Rogerson
Scenic artist – Picasso Morrey
Wigs – John Cumberlidge
Front-of-house manager – Nick Bailey
Box office manager – Sharon Lawton
Company photographer – John Stone
Programme – Jayne E Blake
Production: Stuart Campbell, Tina Campbell, Janet Clarke, Bob Flower, Miranda Gresty, Kevin Harvey, Ann Haycock, Peter Hermans, Debbie Morrey, Mark Rhead, Sue Wright, Sylvia Wright
How much do the tickets cost?
Evening tickets at £17.25 while matinee tickets are priced at £14.01 (yes, £14 and a penny).
How do I book tickets to watch The Railway Children?
Tickets are now on sale and available from the Players Box or by calling 01782 209784 (Mon to Fri from 5pm to 9pm or Sat to Sun from 10am to 6pm) or via email Sharon at boxoffice@stokerepplayers.co.uk.
How long is the The Railway Children for and what are the timings?
The show will be opening on Tuesday, 14 April and will run until Saturday, 18 April 2026. The shows will be at 7.30pm – with interval – finish by about 9.30pm each evening with a matinee show at 2.30pm on the Saturday. Do visit their website for more details.
Where is Stoke Rep Theatre?
Leek Road
Stoke-On-Trent
ST4 2TR
Tel: (01782) 209897
email: stokerep@btconnect.com
About Stoke Repertory Players
Stoke-on-Trent Repertory Players are the in-house theatre company of the Stoke Rep Theatre producing a programme of five quality theatrical productions each season with an outstanding history of 100 Years as a leading force in the artistic culture of the area.
About Stoke Rep Theatre
The idea to have a new, purpose-built theatre was created following the destruction of the Empire Theatre in Longton by fire on New Year’s Eve 1992 after plans to purchase this wonderful period property came to an abrupt end. Fund Raising had started by the Rep members in 1991 and the new build project received the help of the Arts Council, a National Lottery grant, the support of the City Council, funds raised by the membership and the generous sponsorship of numerous local companies and businesses.
On November 7th 1997, at a Gala Evening, The Players were proud to open a brand new 250 seat theatre in Leek Road, Stoke-on-Trent. It was opened by the guest of honour, the Right Honourable Mark Fisher MP, Minister for The Arts.
The Rep is a Limited Company with charitable status. It is operated and staffed by volunteers and receives no annual funding or grants from National Arts bodies or the City Council. It continues to be the the home of amateur theatre company, The Stoke on Trent Repertory Players, 2021 marked the Centenary of this group of dedicated performers.
Tips / Information
- Free parking available at the Theatre Car Park, but try to arrive at least 30 minutes before the start of the performance. Overspill Free Parking available at the front of Quantum House to the left of the Theatre or at the University (Mon to Fri) after 5 pm. There will be a £1 fee (card payment) charged for Sat shows at the ticket machine on the University Car Park on arrival or exit
- Coffee Bar/Theatre Bar – Opens 45 minutes prior to performance and may remain open for a limited time following the end of evening performances. Interval drinks may be pre-ordered at the Bar to avoid Interval queues. Alcoholic Drinks are NOT allowed in the Auditorium and must be consumed in the Bar Area. Only water in plastic bottles may be consumed in the Auditorium.
- Accessibility: They have designated car parking spaces and level ground-floor access to the foyer and auditorium where wheelchair access is available on Row B.
- Assistance Dogs are welcome and there is an Induction Loop provided for hearing impaired patrons.
Review by Metia Bethell Egan
You may also want to read this:
Review: Hangmen by Martin McDonagh at Stoke Repertory Theatre
Review: God of Carnage at Stoke Repertory Theatre
Review: Bleak Expectations Play by Mark Evans at Stoke Rep Theatre
Photo Credit: Stoke Repertory Theatre
* We were provided with press tickets in exchange for a review. All opinions are our own.
26 comments
I’ve heard of the book, The Railway Children, and it’s fantastic that it’s now a theatre show! This sounds like a great show and the tickets are reasonably priced!
Agree, the tickets are affordable so a great evening out for the whole family
This seems like an awesome production. I would love to watch it in person…I miss going to the theaters; this is the best.
Nothing live seeing a production live especially if it is a good one
I’ve never heard of this one before, but those themes are the kind that always draw me in. I’d love to see this.
Hope you do get the chance to see it live Beth
This sounds like a great play. I love the message of hope and resilience. Sounds like a winner to me!
Definitely a production worth watching
Excellent performance by the actors playing the 3 children on Tuesday night
Can’t agree with you more, the children did so well
Love this, supporting local Drama companies is so important. Everyone who’s involved gain so much from putting on the productions and they are also an absolute joy to watch.
Kay | Mummy Burgess
Absolutely and we are so lucky that the theatre is local to us as well.
Is it really bad that I don’t think I’ve watched an adaptation of the railway children (or read the book) so don’t actually know the story?! Looks like such a fun show though x
It is never too late Rhian. Why not grab a copy of the book and read it to find out what its all about?
This sounds like such a lovely show and a nice one to take children to as well. I like finding things like this that feel a bit different from the usual days out. Corinne x
Yes something so different and yet equally as entertaining
It sounds like you really enjoyed watching the show and that the actors all did an incredible job in their roles. I read the book years ago but would love to see this on stage too. It sounds like it would be great to watch with the kids. The ticket prices sound reasonable which helps.
I did thank you and yes a great family show especially if you have read the book with your children when they were young
This sounds like a great production. I really loved the film of this when I was younger.
Both my daughter and I love the book so it was wonderful to see the production come alive
E. Nesbit’s The Railway Children is surely an awesome show to see in my opinion. Love the original story and I must first read the full version of it.
Agree and because it is such a well known story, the expectations were high and they delivered
I like the idea of the play addressing the audience! Sounds like an interesting story.
A super interpretation and such a talented set of young cast as well
Such a classic story and love how they have updated it to include the audience. Definitely a show to look out for
Yes it sure is a must see production