Audition for "The Railway Children"

Synopsis

When their father is suddenly taken away, Bobbie, Peter and Phyllis Waterbury leave their comfortable London home and move with their mother to a humble cottage in the countryside. As they discover the nearby railway, they form friendships with station porter Perks, the mysterious Old Gentleman, and a host of memorable characters whose lives become intertwined with their own.

Filled with adventure, humour, courage and heart, The Railway Children is a beloved family classic celebrating kindness, resilience, and hope. This new adaptation remains faithful to E. Nesbit’s original novel while bringing the story vividly to life for contemporary audiences.

AUDITIONS

Child auditionees must be aged 12 or over and have a parent/guardian in attendance. 

Auditions are by appointment only via the TryBooking link https://www.trybooking.com/DNKW.

Each audition will be a 15-minute individual appointment.

Auditions will be held at The Basin Theatre.

Audition material will be provided in advance, and the script will be available to read in the theatre foyer or on request.

Auditionees should be prepared to read from the supplied material and may be asked to use an English accent.

Cast

Already Cast: BOBBIE (ROBERTA) WATERBURY

Note: Some actors may be asked to play multiple supporting or ensemble roles.

PETER WATERBURY (Male) (Lead role) Playing Age: 10–15 Energetic, practical, and adventurous. Peter often acts efore he thinks and is determined to protect his family. A strong comedic role with moments of genuine emotional depth.

PHYLLIS WATERBURY (Female) (Lead role) Playing Age: 8–13 Imaginative, innocent, and optimistic. Phyllis brings warmth and humour to the family dynamic while providing many of the play’s most touching moments.

MOTHER (Female) (Supporting) Playing Age: 35–55 A loving and resilient parent. Despite hardship, Mother remains determined to protect and support her children. Requires emotional strength and warmth.

FATHER (Male) (Minor) Playing Age: 35–60 Intelligent, kind, and devoted. Appears primarily in key scenes but provides the emotional foundation for the entire story. Will play other characters. 

THE OLD GENTLEMAN (Male) (Supporting) Playing Age: 50+ A wealthy railway traveller. Warm, wise, and quietly influential. One of the most important supporting roles in the play. Strong stage presence required.

PERKS (Male) (Supporting) Playing Age: 35–70 The station porter. Good-hearted, proud, and humorous. One of the audience’s favourite characters. Excellent comic timing desirable.

RUTH (Female) (Minor) Playing Age: 18+ The Waterbury family’s loyal servant. Kind and practical. Will play other characters. 

THE RUSSIAN (MR SZCZEPANSKY) (Male) (Minor) Playing Age: 30–60 A political exile searching for his family. A moving and memorable role requiring emotional honesty. Will play other characters. 

DOCTOR FORREST (Male or Female) (Minor) Playing Age: Adult Professional, caring, and reassuring. Will play other characters. 

MRS PERKS (Female) (Minor) Playing Age: Adult Warm-hearted and community-minded. Will play other characters. 

JIM (Male) (Minor) Playing Age: 14–18 The Old Gentleman’s grandson. Friendly, adventurous, and full of energy, Jim quickly forms a bond with the Railway Children. Good-natured and confident, he brings warmth, humour, and excitement to the story. Will play other characters.

GUARD (Male or Female) (Minor) Playing Age: Adult Railway employee. Will play other characters. 

DRIVER / FIREMAN (Male or Female) (Minor) Playing Age: Adult Railway workers involved in the famous landslip rescue sequence. Will play other characters. 

ENSEMBLE Multiple adult performers needed to play:

• Railway passengers
• Villagers
• Railway staff
• Officials
• Other featured roles

IMPORTANT REQUIREMENTS

All actors cast in this play must:

• Hold a current Working with Children Check (Victoria), unless cast as a child actor.
• Be available for the full rehearsal period.
• Be available for all performances.
• Work cooperatively as part of an ensemble.
• Attend rehearsals as scheduled.
• Be comfortable using an English accent rather than an Australian accent.

CHILD PERFORMERS

• Child performers must have parent or guardian permission to audition and participate.
• Child performers must be available for rehearsals and all performances as scheduled.

CONTENT NOTE

The play includes themes of family separation, political imprisonment, hardship, and a staged railway accident sequence.

A NOTE ON CHARACTER AGES

• The listed ages for characters are intended as a guide only. With the exception of the child roles, age ranges are suggestive rather than prescriptive.
• If you feel you can convincingly portray a character, regardless of your age, we encourage you to audition. Casting will be based on suitability for the role, performance ability, characterisation, and overall ensemble balance.
• We welcome performers of all backgrounds and experience levels.

REHEARSALS

• Rehearsals will begin after casting is finalised, with the first rehearsal expected in mid-September.
• Expected rehearsal days and frequency: Tuesday and Thursday evenings, Sunday afternoons
• A full rehearsal schedule will be provided once casting is complete.
• Cast members will be notified of casting outcomes after auditions via email.

AUDITION, REHEARSAL, AND PERFORMANCE VENUE:

The Basin Theatre, Doongalla Road, The Basin, Victoria 3154

Performance Dates

26 November – 6 December 2026

Performance times: 2PM Matinees, 7.30PM Evenings

Please check The Basin Theatre website for further information