Mark Benton to join cast of The Railway Children

Mark Benton takes over the role of Mr Perks from Craig Warnock in The Railway Children, from 3 Dec 2011 to 8 Jan 2012, when the show closes at the Waterloo Station Theatre.

Mark Benton can currently be seen playing maths teacher Daniel Chalky in BBC1's Waterloo Road and has recently guested as Geoff Blackburn in Inspector George Gently. His stage credits include Comedians for the Lyric Hammersmith, Kosher Harry for the Royal Court and The Front Page at the Donmar Warehouse.

The drama, written by E. Nesbit, adapted by Mike Kenny, returned to the Waterloo Station Theatre (in the former Eurostar terminal) on 18 June 2011, following a run at the same venue 4 July 2010 to 2 Jan 2011.

It is directed by Damian Cruden, designed by Joanna Scotcher, lighting by Richard G. Jones.

Current cast includes Craig Warnock (Station Master Perks), David Baron (Old Gentleman), Mark Holgate (Jim), Tim Lewis (Peter), Stephen Beckett (Father and Doctor), Amy Noble (Roberta), Blair Plant (Shepansky), Grace Rowe (Phyllis), Pandora Cliffford (Mother), Elizabeth Keats (Mrs Perks), Amanda Prior (Mrs Viney and Cook) , Francesca Ellis, Felicity Houlbrooke, James Rigby.

The auditorium, created especially for this production, is built with the audience seated either side of the original railway track, with the action taking place both on the track and on the platforms either side. The production, which uses the old Gentleman's saloon carriage from the original classic film, also feature a period steam train from the National Railway Museum in York.

Tells the story of Bobby, Peter and Phyllis, three children whose lives change dramatically when their father is mysteriously taken away. They move from London to a cottage in rural Yorkshire with their mother where they befriend the local railway porter and embark on a magical journey of discovery, friendship and adventure. But the mystery remains - where is Father, and is he ever coming back?