Stepping away from the typical Christmas Pantomime theme. Tabard Theatre have a charming and beautifully presented adaptation of The Railway Children as its seasonal production for 2025.
This adaptation by Louise Haddington sticks to the original storyline where three children, Roberta (Emma Rowe), Peter (Max Pascoe), and Phyllis (Anya Burlton), find themselves in a small village next to a railway line.
Their father (Christopher Laishley) has suddenly dissappeared from the family home and they have had to move away due to financial problems.
Their mother (Kirsten Shaw) has brought them to the countryside for a fresh start and to hopefully give them a better quality of life. However, she becomes seriously ill and the children realise that they need to take on some responsibility. Which Roberta takes in her stride.
The family befriended the train station’s porter Perks (Jay Olpin), whose knowledge of the village and trains helps the children settle in and understand their new surroundings.
Life throws up many challenges for them. Yet their quick thinking and sensible attitude sees them saving the day on a few occasions.
Rowe is an outstanding actor. Her role as Roberta appears natural and you can feel every emotion that the character experiences. Especially in the final scene, where I found myself moved by her jubilant emotional outbursts.
The small scale of the stage area in the Tabard Theatre doesn’t stop this production from feeling like a larger-scale production. From the railway bridge at the back of the stage, the tunnel underneath doubles as the family’s fireplace when the stage changes location. Then in an instant, we are on the railway station platform welcoming another train. The design is neat and allows for smooth and quick scene changes.
This production of The Railway Children is a delightful family treat well worth trying to catch over the festive season.
For more information about The Railway Children and future productions at Tabard Theatre please use the link below.
Five Stars.
Photo credit Matt Hunter.
Theatre, Art and Film Reviews 
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