Review: 'The Railway Children' at St Albans' Roman Theatre

For as has been the case throughout the summer’s open air festival, this adaptation of the E. Nesbit novel is a production well worth seeing.

Scott Le Crass, who was invited by festival organisers OVO to direct the production, chose the Mike Kenny adaptation of the famous novel, known to many for the classic film version.

But this version in Scott and OVO’s capable hands is just as memorable and demonstrates how well it can work on the stage.

The Railway Children at the Roman Theatre in St Albans (Image: Elliott Franks)

Played out on the pared-down festival stage that has proved so effective throughout this current summer season, it makes clever use of trunks and suitcases of the period to emphasise, as Scott points out in his director’s notes, that the play is largely about journeys, travel and adventure.

And let’s face it, the adventures enjoyed by the three children, Bobbie, Phyllis and Peter, are highly unlikely to be experienced by youngsters today.

The majority of the storytelling is in the words of the three actors taking the roles of the children, Charlotte Ware, Grace Bassett and Will Kirkham.

And while they might not look especially young, they play their parts to perfection with Charlotte capturing the sensitive nature of the do-gooder Bobbie, Will as the daring and clever Peter and Grace as Phyllis, the youngest of the trio.

The Railway Children at the Roman Theatre in St Albans (Image: Elliott Franks)

The scene where they alert the train to imminent danger is particularly cleverly done, not just for the acting but also the way the train is introduced from the bridge over the railway.

Charlie Clee, who seems to have been ever-present throughout the festival, demonstrates once again why he is in so much demand. He takes several roles including Father, the station master Mr Perks and the Old Gentleman.

Whether or not he is ad-libbing when asked to take the role of the Doctor too I have no idea but it is the comic highlight of the evening and demonstrates what a great talent he is.

READ MORE

• Historic steam train set to take Herts residents to magical Christmas market
• 'Raucous and riotous': The Threepenny Opera heads to Roman Theatre

Emma Wright takes the role of Mother and Josie Rattigan plays a number of roles including Mrs Perks and a Russian refugee – as well as the aforementioned doctor in an earlier scene.

The cast is made up of two gangs of children who bring their enthusiasm to bear on another excellent festival production.

Details of the remaining performances of The Railway Children can be found at www.ovo.org.uk.