A budding actor is on the train to success after starring in the hit play The Railway Children.

Jack Hardwick, a former pupil at Beaumont School, is playing lead role Peter in the Kings Cross Theatre adaptation of the Edith Nesbit classic.

He scored the role after years of hard work, but his love for performance was rooted in school.

He said: “I have always loved performing and as I got into secondary school I found it hard.

“I already had dyslexia and I found the academic subjects difficult, but loved the Arts and Drama department. It was great for me to excel in something.

“I was supported by two teachers when I was there, Miss Shepherd and Harriet Rowland. They were brilliant; they encouraged me, watched me develop and encouraged my passion.”

After leaving school Jack beat off tough competition to gain a place at the esteemed drama school, Bristol Old Vic, and was one of just eight boys to get in out of 2000 applicants.

The school gave Jack a platform to showcase his talents, and at the end of his time there he was picked up by his current agent.

He has since starred in various minor TV roles, performed with the Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory and starred in plays at the National Theatre.

Now in his biggest role yet, Jack plays Peter in The Railway Children at the custom built theatre in Kings Cross.

He said: “It’s about a family who are well off. Their Dad gets taken away, but they don’t know why. So they lose their money and move to Yorkshire.

“It’s about their adventures and the people they meet. The way they learn about people from different walks of life.

“His role is about becoming a man. I’m stepping up to be the man in the house. It’s a really fun family play, it’s brilliant.”

When asked about plans after the play, Jack said: “I’d love to do more TV. A dream role I’d love to play would be Christopher Boon in Curios Incident of the Dog in the Night Time.

“They key is to be happy when you’re not acting. You have to be happy in a normal job, and then be thankful when a job does come along that you get to do something you love.”

The Railway Children will be showing until September this year. Tickets are available here.