Emma Charlton, a former member of Derby Theatre’s youth theatre, plays Bobby in the venue’s Christmas production of The Railway Children, directed by Sarah Brigham, at the head of a professional company of ten.
Emma Charlton takes the role of Bobby in The Railway Children at Derby Theatre this Christmas, leading the cast of Mike Kenny’s Olivier Award-winning adaptation of E. Nesbit’s novel. The lyrics are by John Biddle and Mike Kenny, and the theatre’s artistic director and chief executive, Sarah Brigham, directs. The production runs in the Main House from Friday 27 November 2026 to Saturday 2 January 2027.
For Charlton it is familiar ground. As a member of Derby Theatre Youth Theatre she appeared in A Christmas Carol, Cinderella and Alice in Wonderland, and her professional credits include Of Mice and Men for Derby Theatre, Hull Truck, Bolton Octagon and Theatre by the Lake. Her stage siblings are Louis Newman as Peter, whose credits include The Great Gatsby for Derby Theatre and Pitlochry Festival Theatre, and Georgia Mann as Phyllis, who has worked on Alfred Hitchcock Presents for Theatre Royal Bath and appeared in the BBC’s Beyond Paradise.
Dan McGarry, whose credits include Oliver Twist for Derby Theatre, plays Perks. Dominic Rye doubles as Father and the Doctor; he has appeared at Derby Theatre in Alice in Wonderland, Robin Hood, Treasure Island and The Jungle Book. Lydia Louise, whose opera credits for the Royal College of Music include Lehár’s The Merry Widow, plays Mother and Mrs Perks as well as joining the ensemble, and Barry Shannon is the Old Gentleman.
The company is completed by Oleksandr Begma as Schepansky, whose credits include Coriolanus and Verba at the National Franko Theatre and Twelfth Night at Kyiv’s Left Bank Theatre; Tom Nye as Jim, ensemble and understudy; and Charlie Fraser-Swarbrick in the ensemble and as understudy. Alongside the professionals, a community company of 25 local performers will share the stage.
Behind the scenes, Emily Bestow designs, with costumes by Tim Heywood, lighting by Tim Skelly and sound by Ivan Stott. Eliza Waters is musical director, Deb Pugh is movement director and Liz Nelson is assistant director.
This staging sets Nesbit’s story in rural Derbyshire. Roberta, Peter and Phyllis are moved from London to a small house beside the railway, and an unsettled fresh start becomes a tale of friendship and discovery, told with music as well as words.
Sarah Brigham said: “On the main stage we have a reputation for offering heartwarming and brilliant drama with talented actor musicians and this year the wonderfully nostalgic Railway Children will be a real treat for all the family. As the winter draws in and we look back on the year, there is no better way to celebrate with loved ones more than a theatre trip – I look forward to welcoming everyone here.”
Press night is Tuesday 1 December 2026 at 7.15pm. Tickets are priced £15.50-£38, with Friends, Earlybird, group, under 26s and school rates available, through the Derby Theatre box office on 01332 593939. The run includes the following access performances:
- BSL interpreted: Friday 4 December at 7.15pm, Wednesday 16 December at 10.15am and Saturday 19 December at 2.30pm
- Audio described: Monday 7 December and Saturday 12 December, both at 2.30pm
- Captioned: Wednesday 9 December at 7.15pm, Wednesday 16 December at 10.15am, Saturday 19 December at 2.30pm and Tuesday 22 December at 7.15pm
- Relaxed: Thursday 17 December at 11am
- Distanced: Thursday 17 December at 11am and Tuesday 29 December at 2.30pm
- Dementia friendly: Tuesday 29 December at 2.30pm
Derby Theatre is also taking the new folk-punk musical Wedding Fayre on tour with Graeae, first announced last month.
