Reviews

• Amanda

  Jan 4, 2017

  A totally enjoyable production for the whole family. Imaginative use of the space, stays true to the narrative and spirit of the original story. Heart warming!

• John

  Jan 3, 2017

  What a stunning way to spend an afternoon , my 7 year old was buzzing after and during and loved every second as did I. One of the best shows in London and so very clever. The way the actors interacted with the audience made it extra special 5 stars from me

• Lizzie

  Jan 1, 2017

  Awesome immersive theatre. My son and I have always loved the film and thus production was fantastic. True to the original story with a touch of humour in the dialogue. I took my son as part of his 18th Birthday celebrations. He loved it. I had booked tickets near the back but we were upgraded to front row seats on our arrival and I hadn't even mentioned the Birthday celebrations!!! The production was spine tingly good. My favourite theatre production ever and I have seen some fab theatre. The railway ticket office the waiting room foyer and the platform seating all completed the experience. Amazing to read of how quickly the theatre was built and the engineering involved. Great actors Great theatre Great fun. Many thanks to all involved. Hip Hip Hooray!!!

• Tony C

  Dec 29, 2016

  Third time we have seen it. Wonderful every time. Suitable for all ages. A marvellous experience in a fantastic venue.

• Christine Chamberlain

  Dec 28, 2016

  Everyone with children and grandchildren should see this brilliant adaptation of a classic story before it closes. My son and I took two children aged 8 and 10 and we all thoroughly enjoyed it. Very dramatic, with a real train coming on stage.

• Gemma

  Dec 24, 2016

  I have watched the Railway Children on television many, many times and it is one of my favourites of all time. To see it at the Theatre was marvellous and I thouraly enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone.

• David Green

  Dec 24, 2016

  What an unexpected surprise! Loved the show with great effects and strong actor interaction with the audience, the seating arrangements place everyone close to the qction. Suitable for all ages. It was nice to see that you could tell the actors where enjoying the experience. Star of the show is the real steam train that makes several appearances!

• Mrs S Perry

  Dec 22, 2016

  This show was absolutely fantastic. I booked for 8 people and it was enjoyed by my 5 year old all they to my 80 year old mother in law and it suited them all. We all thoroughly recommend it.

• Freda Gunn

  Dec 22, 2016

  I took my grandchildren to see the show. It was amazing! To begin with the cast talked to the children and made them feel like v.i.p.s The special effects were truly breath taking ,the scene changes slick and professional .... though how no one fell between the moving stage blocks I don't know! The acting was first rate I just can't tell you how much we ALL enjoyed it. We want to come again. Please pass on our thanks to the cast.

• Farhana Shaukat

  Dec 22, 2016

  I booked front row premium seats to watch this raved about production with my 11 year old daughter. On arrival, we were surprised to see that the stage was smaller than expected, the stage technicians were visible throughout the production when moving parts of the stage, which were meant to represent a train. The actual train itself did not appear till almost the end of the production, which was disappointing. Few children had the chance to perform and speak lines, as the three main railway children were played by grown adults, who were oddly behaving like very young and immature children. Apart from the obvious morals of the story itself, I think that the story is and ought to be aimed at 5-8 year olds only, as my daughter was bored stiff within the first half hour. Very young children will not understand the story, as several had fallen asleep during the show. Unsurprisingly, another family walked out during the intermission. Had I known the age band for this production beforehand, I would not have bothered wasting £200 on our tickets.

• Patricia

  Dec 18, 2016

  This was absolutely enchanting from start to finish. The expression on my grandson's face when the steam engine appeared was unbelievable. Very polished performance from all who appeared in it and the staging was wonderful. I would strongly recommend this to everyone.

• kevinolivia

  Dec 18, 2016

  fantastic surprise to see a train in the theatre and kept to the original story , very good

• Mrs Hutch

  Dec 17, 2016

  Superb show. Family group age range 4-70 years and were all gripped throughout (which is saying something for the 4 year old). Great acting, theatre, set and of course the real steam train made it an extra special experience. Even the staff were very friendly and helpful. Couldn't fault anything.

• Linda B

  Dec 16, 2016

  Really enjoyed every minute. Will recommend it to everyone I see. Thanks for a lovely afternoon.

• Denise

  Dec 13, 2016

  Best show I've seen in ages. The acting was excellent and the actors really made sure that we felt part of it all, from the way they interacted with us throughout the play, before it started and during the interval. I have loved this story since being a small child, having seen two different versions of the film. Pure nostalgia.

• John Dearing

  Dec 9, 2016

  My wife and I are in our late 60s but, judging by the reaction of all the children in the audience, we were not the only age group who thought this was superb live entertainment. The most impressive prop was a real steam engine and carriage. The cast were excellent and the station master should be a role model for Southern Eastern Rail!! If you are looking for an alternative to Panto, this would be a fine choice for all the family.

• Linda B

  Dec 9, 2016

  Really enjoyed every minute. Will recommend it to everyone I see. Thanks for a lovely afternoon.

• Natalie

  Dec 9, 2016

  Charming. I took my 4 and 5 year olds. They sat through the entire show, happily, and also enjoyed the performance. The real steam train coming on stage was a thrilling and awesome sight. Our seats were back row, but as it wasn't a full house, we were bumped down closer to the stage.

• Martin & Lynn Arkless

  Dec 8, 2016

  Excellent show, very moving performance.

• Emma

  Dec 8, 2016

  We took our 3 children aged 6, 12 and 13 for the second time and absolutely loved it. Highly recommended

• Jennie Maynard

  Dec 5, 2016

  For adults and children alike, the performance kept us totally in the hands of the superb cast, even though it was a familiar story. The props were simple although sometimes used in very clever ways - like the tunnel! Predictably the tissues were needed at the end. The engine was amazing and really stole the show! A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon's entertainment.

• J Wilko

  Dec 5, 2016

  Fabulous show, great for all the family. The kids loved the interaction with the characters and of course the train! Great theatre set up too.

• Carol K

  Dec 4, 2016

  Absolutely wonderful show in every respect. Very clever scenery, brilliant acting, and the actors couldn't have spoken more clearly. My hearing not great but I heard every single word. This couldn' have been easy with the audience on either side. My grandson's are 11 and 9 and they were mesmerised and couldn't stop talking about it. Thanks to all concerned for a truly brilliant afternoon.

• Joe Spiteri

  Dec 1, 2016

  Such a professional production ---all very real and the actual real train coming into the platform was actually quite emotional.

• Don Belcher

  Dec 1, 2016

  Wonderfully atmospheric, splendidly acted, and highly engaging. The sense of involvement in the beautiful age of steam was simply breath-taking

• M R

  Nov 27, 2016

  Brilliant show which my whole family enjoyed. I wouldn't recommend it for very young children though. A lot of the smaller children got very restless. The cast were amazing and the train coming into the theatre was a real highlight of the show.

• laura

  Nov 27, 2016

  Loved the show .Mr pikes was amazing scene changing was excellent too.lovely show....however didn't like the end speach asking for money thought that ruined the experience!!thought it could have been dealt better .however show was fantastic only paid 12 pound so was a bargain ...

• Liz Thomas

  Nov 25, 2016

  It was a superb performance in every respect. What a privilege it was to be so involved in the performance. Well done to everyone!

• Andy

  Nov 24, 2016

  I saw this a few years ago at Waterloo and did enjoy it. This time I had a seat in the front row and this greatly enhanced the experience. It was nice that the cast interacted with the audience before the play started. A big thank you to the Cast, Stagehands, Director and all the other people involved in it - you can tell they all enjoy their job.

• Jules

  Nov 24, 2016

  We had a fabulous time and really enjoyed the whole experience. So wonderfully creative. Our only disappointment was not seeing Justin Fletcher as Mr Perks and no mention of the actor who did play him (?) - who was very good. Would have been good to have better signing to the venue from the main station.

• Maire

  Nov 24, 2016

  The show was great , not like others I had seen -like a story tale coming to life. All in all a fab night , the actors and actresses great and the railway stage set-up super. Some parts simplistic at its very best. It will take you away in a story with a light hearted theme. Like being wrapped up in a blanket while being told a bed time Story. Need some light entertainment than definitely worth a visit :)

• Mayuran Rajgobal

  Nov 24, 2016

  It was a fantastic show both for couples and families.

• Caroline

  Nov 20, 2016

  What a fantastic show, great cast and what a clever way of putting on a show. My 8 year old son thought it was amazing, especially the train!

• Luke

  Nov 17, 2016

  Great evening, one for families. Great value for money. Recommend it highly.

• frederick meakin

  Nov 11, 2016

  Production and cast first class. True family entertainment

• Gary W Daley

  Nov 11, 2016

  Wonderful. Kept my 3 year old son captivated.

• Santanu

  Nov 11, 2016

  This was a really heart-warming and well-performed play, with absolutely brilliant stagecraft. The train takes the cake, but of course the actors, the set, the costumes, the adapted writing for the stage are all excellent too. Not to be missed!

• Janet Clay

  Nov 10, 2016

  I really enjoyed yesterday - such an imaginary production, As this is my favourite film I could identify with every scene but my friend had never even heard of the Railway Children (?where has she been) and seemed unable to grasp the context of adults being children. We enjoyed the actors chatting to us before the show and every actor was wonderful. Thank you

• Claire Ortega

  Nov 7, 2016

  We really had the most charming experience, from the theatre itself to the amazing acting with a marvellous array of characters. Highly recommended!!!

• Happy customer

  Nov 7, 2016

  what a great cast good from start to finish makes you want to put the film on and sit and watch again

• Liz Todd

  Nov 7, 2016

  Had a great day out for my son's 12th birthday. Would highly recommend. Staff very polite all round. Brilliant performance by everyone.

• Sharon

  Nov 6, 2016

  Best show I have ever seen! So original and clever use of 'stage'! Took my 16 and 20 year old daughters who both loved it too. The real train and finale brought tears to my eyes. All actors were good but the girl playing Phyllis strode out for her humour.

• Pam

  Nov 3, 2016

  Loved the staging and train special effects. Acting excellent although a little hurried in places. Too many floor changes. If you were not sitting in the middle it would be hard to see and hear the action at the other end of the set. Loved the ending tears in the eyes and the train was simply amazing. Well done everyone.

• Timbo

  Nov 3, 2016

  As two adults in our 50,s we visited yesterday for a midweek matinee and really enjoyed the show! Great effects and use of a very special and clever stage, good fun, some laughs together with some lovely tender scenes... Couldn't fault it, Thanks to all involved in the production!

• Tony French

  Oct 31, 2016

  All round family fun

• Dude

  Oct 30, 2016

  Excellent effects. The train and sounds were fabulous but the real special effect highlight was the tunnel scene. Wonderful actors. Th three leads were very convincing and humorous at times. Each supporting actor played their roles with conviction_ three actors played duel roles and we were so greatful that the actors said hello in the break. My 3 year old was delighted!

• Gail

  Oct 30, 2016

  Fantastic.

• Sabrina Silom

  Oct 28, 2016

  Well acted by all . The real life locomotive was an excellent touch. Overall excellent.

• Malika

  Oct 28, 2016

  Very moving and entertaining production of this well-loved classic. My two boys, 8 and 11, loved it as much as I did. (The theatre was full of what looked like younger children - not sure I would take a child younger than 8). Very good cast, and lots to talk about afterwards. The set itself is mesmerising. A must-see!

• Anne C

  Oct 27, 2016

  A really good, imaginative production with real encouragement for audience participation. All very good fun and a wonderful story well told.