The Railway Children

The first youth production at the theatre was The Railway Children in July 1997. Following an advertisement in the local press asking for local children to audition, over 60 people turned up hoping to be onstage actors. Emily Aston who had been in "Oranges aren't the only fruit" for the BBC and Coronation St. for ITV, a local girl, had been advised to get some theatre experience. She played the lead role Bobbie [Roberta] age 15.

The 2023 version BYTES performed was adapted by Mike Kenny. The author in his notes said it was not necessary to have a train on stage, just the skill of the actors and the imagination of the audience. Everything in the production, tables, trains and landslides could be created by things you would find on a railway station platform, trunks, cases, trolleys. The fast pace of the scene changes relied on the three young actors conveying the story to the audience, breaking the fourth wall. Cherry Royle as Phyllis, perfectly cast, delivered her funny remarks in a natural way. Her older siblings, Roberta, played by Emily Chaplin and Peter by Kobi Mottley also narrate the story and were a winning combination.

Perks ,the railway porter, was played by Patrick Duffy, he was a Perks child in the 1997 production. Janice Purslow, a BYTES leader, played Mother, both of them very believable characters.

The young members of BYTES, some of them on stage for the first time, took their roles very seriously as they ran after the hare following the paper chase. They emerged exhausted from the tunnel, even though it was the same part of the set. 

Watching the children tear the red flannel petticoats to wave at the approaching train was quite moving for the audience with the sound, smoke and light effects working to create the tension.

The young members were well supported by Nathaniel McCartney-Williams as Daddy, Niel Gioia as the "shabby Russian", Guy Gibbs as the Doctor and Stephen Woods as The Old Gentleman.

The famous final scene had the smoke filled stage with the line, " My Daddy, my Daddy"

As someone remarked " A charming production".

 

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