Shaun Williamson to join The Railway Children

Former 'Eastenders' actor Shaun Williamson will join the Olivier Award-winning production of Mike Kenny's stage adaptation of The Railway Children, based on E. Nesbit's novel, at the King's Cross Theatre from 16 January 2016.

The production, which opened at King's Cross on 14 January 2015, following previews from 16 December 2014, features a live 60-tonne steam locomotive and Gentleman's Carriage, utilising the real life railway track and platforms, along with a state of the art heating system.

Shaun Williamson will be taking on the role of Mr Perks, which is currently being performed by Martin Barrass. It has also been announced that further cast changes will also take place on 16 January 2016, including Sophie Ablett as Bobbie, Beth Lilly as Phyllis, Matt Jessup as Peter and Lindsay Allen as Mrs Perks.

The new cast will join Caroline Harker (Mother), Peter Gardiner (Doctor/Butler), Mark Hawkins (Jim/District Super), Connie Hyde (Mrs Viney), Blair Plant (Father/Schepansky) and Moray Treadwell (Old Gentleman).

Shaun Williamson played the role of Barry Evans in BBC soap 'EastEnders' for nine years. He later went on to star in two series of Ricky Gervais's 'Extras' and 'Life's Too Short'. Williamson's London theatre credits include 'Saturday Night Fever' at the Apollo and 'Farragut North' at the Southwark Playhouse.

Directed by Damian Cruden, with design by Jo Scotcher, lighting by Richard G. Jones, music by Christopher Madin and sound by Craig Vear, The Railway Children was first produced by York Theatre Royal at the National Railway Museum, York, where it enjoyed two seasons in 2008 and 2009. The production then opened at Waterloo Station in July 2010, where it won the 2011 Olivier Award for Best Entertainment, before opening in Toronto in 2011 in a temporary theatre built at the base of CN Tower in Roundhouse Park.

The drama tells the story of Bobbie, 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, Perks, and embark on a magical journey of discovery, friendship and adventure.

The producers are Tristan Baker & Charlie Parsons for Runaway Entertainment, Oliver Royds for BOS Productions and Sue Scott Davison, in association with York Theatre Royal and the National Railway Museum.

Originally published on

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