Theatre Review - THE RAILWAY CHILDREN - THE PEOPLE'S THEATRE, NEWCASTLE

 

Written by E. Nesbit and adapted by Mike Kenny for the stage, The Railway Children is (as Phyllis explains) a family friendly show, of gentle humour. For those who are not familiar with the children’s book, or the film, we follow three children (Bobbie, Peter and Phyllis), as misfortune strikes their family. They move from a wealthy lifestyle in the city to a much simpler life in the Yorkshire countryside. Where before they had servants whose jobs they were unsure of, now it is a choice of Jam or Butter on their bread, not both. They begin to take great joy in the local railway and become familiar and welcome faces to all.

It was a wet Tuesday, but coming into The People’s Theatre, I was transported to Oakworth railway station in Yorkshire for a delightful evening. Then, as if the weather had been timed to the performance, the rain paused as the audience left, giving us a chance to bask in the wonderful glow of a good show. I can’t promise the weather but I can promise a blissful and fast-paced evening at the theatre. Director Chris Heckels-Thompson takes you on a pleasant journey with this children’s classic, leaving the audience chuffed. She created a particularly poignant moment on stage as the ensemble/stage crew pack away the props and furnishings from the children’s old life as their circumstances change. While the children spoke, moving on, their mother lingered and watched. Seamless scene changes whisked us ever-on to the next part of the story. The set, designed by Annelise Clifton, put the audience on the right track from the beginning, with a railway bridge in the centre and the suggestion of a home to the left and the station to the right. With lighting by Glen Maddison and Karen Dales and sound designed by Kate Scott, the settings for the scenes were changed with care and skill.

The whole cast was absolutely marvellous, congratulating all of them on individual quirks would take too long! It featured Steven Arran (Father), Jim Boylan (Butler), Margaret Shaw (cook), Holly Stamp (Maid), Daniel Magee (Perks), Maggie Childs (Mrs Viney), Emily Jeffery (Mrs Perks), Tony Childs (Old Gentleman), Callum Mawston (Doctor), Lukas Cordes (Jim), Ivy Hartwood, Claire Brissenden, Jacob Easton and Martin Johnson (Ensemble), Kaitlyn Aiken and Robin Power (Perks Children). Also, my heart melted to see Billy and Anneliese Clifton as a small boy and his mother. A deep and respectful nod goes to Bill Harrington as Mr Szezcpansky for speaking both French and Russian which (to my untrained ear) sounded perfect. Mother (Kay Edmundson) brought a delicate sympathy to her role. Peter (Joe Moore) and Phyllis (Stephannie Moore) punctured any sombre moments with well-timed humour and were both a true delight to watch. Bobbie (Ashton Matthews) brought a hopeful light to the stage that shone as beautifully as her performance.

An excellent show more than worth the ticket price, The Railway Children is on at the People’s Theatre, until 20^th July 2024.