Rehearsals are now in full steam for a bold new production of The Railway Children, opening 15 July as part of the Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture celebrations. Performed along the historic Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, this immersive reimagining of E. Nesbit’s much-loved tale promises a theatrical journey like no other.
Directed by Damian Cruden, and based on Mike Kenny’s Olivier Award-winning adaptation, the production brings together York Theatre Royal, Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, and a creative team with deep local roots and national acclaim. Audiences will board a steam train in Keighley and travel through the picturesque Worth Valley, where they get off at Oxenhope station, where a purpose-built, open-sided theatre awaits.
Set in 1905, the story follows a family uprooted from London to rural Yorkshire after their father is wrongly imprisoned. In this new version, the family is British-Indian, reflecting themes of migration, belonging, and resilience – central to Bradford’s identity and cultural history.
Image: James Glossop
The cast features Farah Ashraf as Roberta, Raj Digva as Peter, and Jessica Kaur as Phyllis, with Asha Kingsley and Paul Hawkyard as their parents. Graeme Hawley and Elianne Byrne appear as Mr and Mrs Perks, alongside Moray Treadwell as the Old Gentleman.
The experience begins on board, with an immersive audio journey produced by Stand & Be Counted Theatre, featuring real voices of people seeking sanctuary – echoing the story’s timeless message of hope and home.
The Railway Children will be running from 15 July to 7 September 2025, with performances throughout the summer holidays. Tickets are available now at the Bradford 2025 website, with half-price entry for under-16s – making it a perfect family adventure.
With real steam trains, a powerful new perspective, and a heartwarming tale that spans generations, this is more than a show – it’s an unforgettable cultural journey.
