The Railway Children

Mike Kenny's imaginative stage adaptation of E. Nesbit's much-loved children's classic.

Famously filmed, this story of a prosperous Edwardian family - mother and three children - forced into near-penury in the rural north of England captures the anxieties and exhilarations of childhood with great tenderness and insight.

As Mike Kenny says of his remarkably faithful adaptation, 'You don't need a real train to perform this play... the most powerful prop is the imagination of the audience, the most effective tool the skill of the actors.' So this version of The Railway Children, which offers three plum roles for young performers, is eminently suitable for schools, youth theatres and drama groups - anywhere, in fact, where the cry of 'Daddy! My Daddy!' is likely to provoke a tear.

Mike Kenny's version of The Railway Children was first staged at the National Railway Museum in York in 2008, before receiving a major production at Waterloo Station in London in 2010, for which it won the 2011 Olivier Award for Best Entertainment. It has been staged many times since.

'A magical show... brilliant' — The Times

'A glorious piece of storytelling, spirited, sentimental and spectacular... Mike Kenny's adaptation is masterly' — Whatsonstage.com

'This glorious adaptation... profoundly moving... it never for a moment runs out of steam' — Guardian

'Mike Kenny's script provides everything needed for a cracking evening at the theatre' — Amateur Stage

'Mike Kenny's adaptation shows his mastery of playwriting for children and families... adults and children alike are enthralled by the clever mix of imagination and reality' — Financial Times

'Captivating... an absolute theatrical delight... Mike Kenny's clever, witty script brings the story to life in a thoroughly Yorkshire way... a rich, moving and joy-filled experience... Bravo!' — Reviews Hub

Olivier Award for Best Entertainment