Local Stars On Track To Lead BDG's 'The Railway Children

Following a sell-out run of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, 40 members of Ballywillan Drama Group are now preparing for their next production, The Railway Children. The group last performed this play 10 years ago, and now they are set to return to the Riverside Theatre, Coleraine, in April to stage this much-loved production.

The cast features many familiar faces to the local amateur dramatics scene, such as Chloe Freeman-Wallace as Bobby. Chloe is no stranger to the stage, having performed in principal roles many times, such as Violet Beauregard in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Lauren in Kinky Boots and Chava in Fiddler on the Roof.

Firm favourite Patrick Connor will take on the role of loveable rogue, Peter. It will be quite a change for Patrick, who was most recently seen on stage as the infamous Augustus Gloop eating his way through a bottomless chocolate lagoon in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Kellyann McKillen will be returning to the role of Phylli,s having also been cast as the youngest of the children in the group’s original production 10 years ago. A versatile actress, Kellyann has previously taken on roles such as Lily St Regis in Annie and Miss Brahms in Are You Being Served?

The chairperson of the group, Laura Fisher, is delighted that the group will be staging The Railway Children again.

She said, ‘I know many of our members have fond memories from our last production of The Railway Children, so when our Artistic Director, Brian Logan BEM, announced that we would once again be bringing it to the Riverside Theatre, we were all very excited. Like many, I read the book as a child and I have watched the film numerous times, always crying at the iconic line, ‘Daddy! My daddy.’ It’s a gentle, heart-warming play with a the famous moment of danger when the three children attempt to stop the train from crashing.’

With the high production values of set, costume, lighting, and special effects that Ballywillan are well known for, this play is sure to be a treat for those familiar with the classic story and those who will be seeing it for the first time. The Railway Children can be seen in the Riverside Theatre, Coleraine from Tuesday 8 – Saturday 12 April 2025 and tickets are now on sale online www.riversidetheatre.org.uk or by calling the theatre box office on 028 70 123 123.

Book tickets by navigating here.