THE RAILWAY CHILDREN
Burton Bradstock Players
Burton Bradstock Village Hall

NEVER let it be said members of Burton Bradstock Players are not up for a challenge. The group is fast growing a reputation for going places much larger outfits would fear to tread, and following success with Wind in the Willows and the Wizard of Oz, they have again ditched the traditional panto this year in favour of a musical version of The Railway Children.

On entering the village hall the audience found it transformed into a railway station circa 1905 complete with station buffet for the interval refreshments and 'period' station artwork created by Sarah Dyke and Helen Retter.

A magnificent red steam locomotive filled the stage and steam and sound effects helped transport the audience to the right time. Following a bit of nifty work by the backstage team when the lights went down a simple set was revealed and ready for action.

A strong cast of actors brought the challenging scenes to life with some great accents and character portrayals.

Elise Ripley had all the required poise and dignity to play Mother while Chris Knight, who co-directed the production with Barbara Powell, was a charming Father.

Colin Haley was fantastic as station porter Mr Perks and neatly swept up many of the laughs and there was good support too from Gill Knight as Mrs Viney, Chris Roberts as Dr Forrest, Richard Chubb as Szczepansky and Mike Read as the Old Gentleman who befriends the Railway Children. Also strongly in the limelight were Vicky Thomas and Laura Brown as the family's maids, Len Green and Barbara Powell as an old local and his daughter, Andrew Blake as Jim and Lorna Walpole as Mrs Perks.

Naturally, however, it was the children who stole the show.

A delightfully expressive performance by Emma Batchelor as Roberta, aka Bobby, revealed a young actress who would give any professional a run for their money and the other two young leads also shone. Alice Ludgate was deliciously comedic as the always hungry Phyllis while Lucy Haley, with her locks hidden under a cap, had her version of their young brother Peter spot on. A sweet song by the Perks children, Jessica Haley, Toby Brookes and Lauren Cobb, was also a plus point.

The chorus of Sarah Brown, Daphne Ekins, Trevor Ekins, Georgina Mills, Janet Proctor, Liz Slater, Danielle Tattershall, Karen Venn, Rebecca Venn, Lynette Woodrow and members of the supporting cast, was in strong voice throughout with some nice set pieces and plenty of characters.

Great use was made of lighting, sound effects and space, with much action taking place in the walkway among the audience. Some tough songs left the cast leaping across the registers, but everyone was left in no doubt there is some great acting talent in the village.

This was a story we all know and love from the film and I am sure no-one will leave Burton Bradstock disappointed.

The Railway Children continues tonight and tomorrow.

The Players' next production will be Stepping Out written by Richard Harris and to be directed by Shirley Ewart. It will be presented in the village hall on June 7, 8 and 9.