Bringing the story to life through imaginative staging, music and storytelling, the production runs in Derby Theatre’s Main House from Friday 27 November 2026 to Saturday 2 January 2027.
We are proud to announce the cast and creatives. The Railway Children cast are Emma Charlton as Bobby (Of Mice and Men for Derby Theatre, Hull Truck, Bolton Octagon, Theatre by the Lake, Sleeping Beauty for Nottingham Playhouse and previously part of Derby Theatre Youth Theatre with credits including A Christmas Carol, Cinderella and Alice in Wonderland); Louis Newman as Peter (The Great Gatsby for Derby Theatre, Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Sunshine on Leith for Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Grease for The Grand Theatre Blackpool, Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Merrily We Roll Along for Royal Conservatoire of Scotland); Georgia Mann as Phyllis (Alfred Hitchcock Presents for Theatre Royal Bath, Snow White for The Roses Theatre, Ospedale for Filament Theatre Company, Beyond Paradise for BBC); Oleksandr Begma as Schepansky (Maria for Unity Theatre, Sing Lola Sing, Coriolanus, Verba for National Franko Theatre, Twelfth Night, Voitsek for Kyiv Left Bank Theatre); Charlie Fraser-Swarbrick as Ensemble/Understudy (A Derby Ditty for Front Door/Derby Theatre, Beauty and the Beast, The Ice Queen, Three Billy Goats Gruff for Worcester Rep, Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella, Snow White for The Roses, Tewkesbury, Peaky Blinders for BBC). Lydia Louise as Mother/Mrs Perks/Ensemble (King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, The Old Maid and the Thief- Menotti, The Merry Widow – Lehár, Les Barvards – Offenbach for Royal College of Music); Dan McGarry as Perks (Oliver Twist for Derby Theatre, The Jolly Christmas Postman, 60 Miles by Road or Rail, The Night Before Christmas for Royal and Derngate, Beyond the Water’s Edge, Fighting Irish for Belgrade Theatre, Goldilocks and the 3 Bears for Hiccup Theatre, Santa Saves Christmas for Honalee); Tom Nye as Jim/Ensemble/Understudy (The Little Big Things for Royal Theatre Carré, Arcadia for Grosvenor East Theatre, The Tempest for Manchester School of Theatre, Wizard of Uz for Odd Arts, Legally Blonde the Musical for King’s Company); Dominic Rye as Father/Doctor (Alice in Wonderland, Robin Hood, Treasure Island, The Jungle Book for Derby Theatre, Peter Pan for Rose Theatre, Kingston, Jack and the Magic Beanstalk for Birmingham Rep, Grimm’s Fairytales for Guildford Shakespeare Company); and Barry Shannon as Old Gentleman (The Jungle Book, Romeo and Juliet for Oddsocks Productions, Treasure Island for Birmingham Old Rep, Robin Hood for Worcester Swan, Hansel and Gretel for Spectrum Theatre, Doctors for BBC).
Joining the professional cast of adult actors, The Railway Children will also have a community company of local performers including: Amit, Anay, Andi, Beth, Cyntia, Drew, Eva, Florence, George, Hazel, Heather, Inaya, Iyisha, Jude, Marnie, Megan, Michelle, Olivia, Orla, Robin, Sam, Samuel, Sophie, Tonieh, and Tracy.
The creative team for The Railway Children includes: Sarah Brigham (Director); Eliza Waters (Musical Director); Deb Pugh (Movement Director); Emily Bestow (Designer); Tim Heywood (Costume Designer); Ivan Stott (Sound Design); Tim Skelly (Lighting); and Liz Nelson (Assistant Director).
Set against the backdrop of rural Derbyshire, a city at the heart of Britain’s railway heritage, The Railway Children arrives in the main house. Directed by Sarah Brigham, this tells the tale of siblings Roberta, Peter and Phyllis, who are whisked away from London to a small house beside the railway. Their uncertain new beginnings becomes a moving journey of friendship and discovery. A great night out for the whole family, this enduring story has captivated generations. It taps into nostalgia while celebrating the power of kindness and connection.
Sarah Brigham (Artistic Director, CEO at Derby Theatre and Director of The Railway Children) said:
“On the main stage we have a reputation for offering heartwarming and brilliant drama with talented actor musicians and this year the wonderfully nostalgic Railway Children will be a real treat for all the family. As the winter draws in and we look back on the year, there is no better way to celebrate with loved ones more than a theatre trip – I look forward to welcoming everyone here.”
The Railway Children is a winter treat to enjoy together – and treasure long after the final whistle blows. All aboard!
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