The Railway Children

Reviewed by Paula Citron

The Railway Children
Touring Consortium/York Theatre Royal
Written by Mike Kenny (adapted from the book by E. Nesbit)
Directed by Damian Cruden
Performed by Natasha Greenblatt, Harry Judge, Kate Besworth, Emma Campbell, Craig Warnock and Doug MacLeod
Roundhouse Theatre
Opened May 8, 2011

The Railway Children is a must see for both children and adults.

First there is the Roundhouse Theatre itself. It is a very large tent in the shape of a British train station built on railway lands across from the CN Tower. The lighting and sound are suburb.

There are two platforms opposite each other where the audience sits, and the action takes place up and down the tracks between on flat bed cars pulled by stagehands. And yes, we actually get a locomotive and passenger car at one point. Damian Cruden’s direction is a marvel.

The play, written by Mike Kenny, is a faithful adaptation of Edith Nesbit’s popular Belle Époque children’s book that has never been out of print.

The story is about three London children whose love of the railway helps them overcome tragedy and newfound poverty when they have to move to Yorkshire.

The Canadian cast is excellent.

A run-don’t-walk.

The Railway Children continues at the Roundhouse Theatre.