Damien Kruden's production of The Railway Children opened in January 2015 with its sweet adaptation of the Edwardian story by E. Nesbit and it's show stealing on-stage 66-ton Stirling Single. This Christmas it returns as a theatrical highlight for families.

The story follows the disappearance of Bobbie, Phyllis and Peter's father, the three children and their mother re-locate from their comfortable London home to a small, desolate house in a Yorkshire village. With little to keep the children entertained and a cold house to make merry, the kids start spending their days waving to the passing trains and befriending the locals, including a German man who becomes the family's salvation.

While this stage version has plenty of charm, the authenticity is lost by the choice of having three fully grown adults play the children, which is somewhat jarring.

The recent cast update brings EastEnders actor Shaun Williamson, to the role of Mr Perks. Joining him and making their West End debut is Sophie Ablett as Bobbie, Beth Lilly as Phyllis. Also starring will be Matt Jessup as Peter and Lindsay Allen as Mrs Perks.

This new year, we hope that the new cast will find a new way to diminish the dissonance between the adult actors and the childish characters they're playing and bring yet more magic to this wonderful English classic.

Suitable for ages 5+

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