Edith Nesbit's classic children's story The Railway Children is heading to The Roman Theatre in St Albans this month.
OVO is staging the Olivier award-winning theatre production by Mike Kenny from July 14 to August 20, as part of the Roman Theatre Open Air Festival.
Directed by Scott Le Crass, the play tells the story of siblings Bobbie, Peter and Phyllis, whose happy lives are thrown into disarray when their father is taken away and they're forced to move from their home in London to a cottage in rural Yorkshire with their mother (Emma Wright).
The children occupy themselves by watching the local trains, and make friends with the genial railway porter Mr Perks (Charlie Clee), embarking on a journey of discovery, friendship and adventure.
However the mystery of their father's disappearance occupies much of their thoughts, and they wonder if he is ever coming back. They soon discover that their new friend and his wife Mrs Perks (Josephine Rattigan) may be able to help unlock the mystery...
Bobbie is played by Charlotte Ware, Peter by William Kirkham and Phyllis by Grace Bassett.
Adam Nichols, the artistic director of OVO and the Roman Theatre Open Air Festival, said: "I’m absolutely delighted to welcome director Scott Le Crass to the Roman Theatre this summer.
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"Scott’s experience as an actor and director are perfectly suited to Mike Kenny’s delightful adaptation of E. Nesbit’s classic story and I think Roman Theatre audiences are going to love his sparkling take on this well-loved nostalgic tale of family and adventure.
"I loved Scott’s critically-acclaimed direction of Maureen Lipman in Martin Sherman’s Rose at the Park Theatre which then transferred to the Ambassador’s in the West End; not surprisingly Scott’s even more in demand than ever so I feel we’re particularly lucky to have him on board!"
The Railway Children was originally performed for York Theatre Royal, and has had several successful revivals at Waterloo and Kings Cross stations, as well as the National Railway Museum.
The novel was originally published in 1905, and was adapted into a famous film version in 1970, starring Jenny Agutter.
To buy tickets go to www.ovo.org.uk.
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