Photos: Toronto to get North American Premiere of UK Hit THE RAILWAY CHILDREN

BWW was thrilled to be on hand yesterday at Steamwhistle Brewery in Toronto for the announcement between Mirvish Productions and Marquis Entertainment that the city would be home to the North American Premiere of the UK Event-Theatre Spectacle The Railway Children. 

The City of Toronto will get a brand new theatrical venue for the premiere of the play that was a smash-hit in London.  The Roundhouse Theatre will be a state-of-the-art, site-specific, 1,000 seat venue located adjacent to the historic Roundhouse in downtown Toronto and will be custom built for The Railway Children.

The show is based on the classic novel by Edith Nesbit which tells the story of Bobbie, Peter and Phyllis, three children who are reduced to poverty after their father is unjustly imprisoned and they are forced to move from a large comfortable house in London to a poor cottage in rural Yorkshire adjacent to the railroad tracks.  The children befriend the local railway porter and embark on a magical journey of discovery, friendship and adventure.  It is being presented in Toronto by Matthew Gale and Jenny King for The Touring Consortium (RC) Internation and Robert Richardson for Marquis Entertainment.

The show was instantly hailed as one of the year's best by London critics, and immediately become one of the city's top grossing stage shows. Ben Brantley of the New York Times proclaimed "I was in shameless emotional thrall to "The Railway Children" and actor Tommy Lee Jones proclaimed that it was "Awesome".

The new theatre that is being built will be located at Roundhouse Park, Bremner Blvd and Lower Simcoe St - just steps from the CN Tower and the Rogers Centre and within walking distance to the restaurants and attractions of Toronto's Entertainment District.  The Park is arleady home to the Toronto Rail Heritage Centre, and is built around an old railway turntable.  The 1,000 seat theatre will be built around the park which brings back the thrilling sights and sounds of Toronto's colourful railroading past, making it the perfect spot to stage The Railway Children.

The Toronto production will feature an all-Canadian cast who will be announced at a later date.  BWW is thrilled to bring you exclusive photos of the announcement, including pictures of the model for The Roundhouse Theatre and pictures of the historical site.

When and Where?

The Railway Children

The Roundhouse Theatre

Begins May 3rd, 2011 with official opening on Mother's Day (May 8th 2011)

Tickets to the production are now available for groups of 10 or more by calling Group Sales at 416-593-4142 or 1-800-724-6420.

Single tickets will be available as of April 4, 2011, through TicketKing - 416-872-1212 or 1-800-461-3333; online sales at www.ticketking.com

More information is available at www.railwaychildren.ca

All Photos Courtesy of Racheal McCaig Photography