The Railway Children: A Magical Christmas Theatre Experience

The Railway Children. Photo: Matt Hunter

🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷 – 5 out of 5 glasses of fine Christmas Cheer!

Theatre At The Tabard
2 Bath Road
London
W4 1LW

The Tiny Tabard Theatre are deservedly building a reputation for presenting Christmas productions that are original, moving and suitable for children AND adults. Productions that over-deliver in their compact auditorium. And this production is no exception to that growing, golden reputation.

The classic Edwardian story from the book by E Nesbit, made famous by the 1970 feature film, is the story of three young children and their mother who, because their father has had to ‘go away’, find themselves in the countryside. And poor! But it’s a countryside that is crisscrossed with railway tracks – and their dwelling is near to the railway station run by an amicable station manager called Perks (Jay Olpin). There’s very fine acting from the whole company, but especially Christopher Laishley who multi-roles with a physicality and characterisation that is rare to see and a privilege to witness.

The children are charming and nuanced too. Peter (Max Pascoe) is a suitably boyish Edwardian boy, Bobbie (Emma Rowe) is the eldest of the siblings and we see a beautiful scene with her struggling between childhood and adult responsibility with her troubled and stoic mother – delicately played by Kirsten Shaw – a reflection completely of childhood breaching into adulthood. The youngest child, Phyllis (Anya Burlton) sweetly and charmingly supplies most of the comedy moments.

Louise Haddington has beautifully adapted a massive story into two hours running time. She actually might have been better with less story, but even if the first act felt occasionally a little frantic, the final combination of her writing and the very assured direction from Simon Reilly gives the show a massive pace and emotional impact.

It looks great too and chops must go to Rob Miles for set design, Nat Green for lighting, Nick Gilbert for sound and Alice McNicholas for Costume Design. Even the scene changes are slick and seamless and a credit to Stage Manager Jack Cleary and his team.

It’s an emotional and moving production – there was hardly a dry eye in the house, even on the Press Night! Perhaps even more importantly in our current political climate, this production is ultimately all about community and people being nice to each other. And who could ask for more than that, particularly at Christmas!

The Tabard Theatre won The London Pub Theatre of the Year for 2025. And this is another example of why it was such a deserved award.

The Railway children is a real treat. Get a ticket before it leaves the station.

Tickets and more information.