Mark-Anthony Turnage has breathed new life into E. Nesbit's classic 1906 tale "The Railway Children" with an energetic and captivating family opera that transcends age boundaries. By reimagining the story in the 1980s, the composer and librettist have successfully dispelled the musty nostalgia surrounding the original work.
Turnage's score is a masterclass in atmosphere and tension, harnessing train noises to underscore emotional shifts while incorporating vivid orchestral textures, from shifting strings to harp and flute passages. The incorporation of snippets from Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring" adds an air of modernity, underscoring the Russian dissident's presence.
The cast delivers strong performances across all roles, with standout portrayals from Jessica Cale as Bobbie, Matthew McKinney as Peter, and Henna Mun as Phyllis. The ensemble work is well-coordinated, bringing depth to the story without overwhelming it.
A notable highlight lies in the relationship between parents Cathy (Rachael Lloyd) and David (Edward Hawkins), whose mutual whistleblower activities are amplified here for added tension. Mr Perks (Gavan Ring) brings a warm presence to his portrayal, while James Cleverton lends authority as Sir Tommy Crawshaw, even if the character feels slightly underwritten.
However, it is Turnage's work that truly drives this production forward, imbuing every scene with an effortless sense of urgency and emotional resonance. The Railway Children proves a worthy addition to the operatic canon, one that will likely resonate deeply with new audiences eager for innovative storytelling.
Turnage has done justice to Nesbit's original by making it accessible to all ages without sacrificing its essence or tone. A standout score and committed performances ensure this production is an unmissable event in any opera enthusiast's calendar.
Turnage's score is a masterclass in atmosphere and tension, harnessing train noises to underscore emotional shifts while incorporating vivid orchestral textures, from shifting strings to harp and flute passages. The incorporation of snippets from Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring" adds an air of modernity, underscoring the Russian dissident's presence.
The cast delivers strong performances across all roles, with standout portrayals from Jessica Cale as Bobbie, Matthew McKinney as Peter, and Henna Mun as Phyllis. The ensemble work is well-coordinated, bringing depth to the story without overwhelming it.
A notable highlight lies in the relationship between parents Cathy (Rachael Lloyd) and David (Edward Hawkins), whose mutual whistleblower activities are amplified here for added tension. Mr Perks (Gavan Ring) brings a warm presence to his portrayal, while James Cleverton lends authority as Sir Tommy Crawshaw, even if the character feels slightly underwritten.
However, it is Turnage's work that truly drives this production forward, imbuing every scene with an effortless sense of urgency and emotional resonance. The Railway Children proves a worthy addition to the operatic canon, one that will likely resonate deeply with new audiences eager for innovative storytelling.
Turnage has done justice to Nesbit's original by making it accessible to all ages without sacrificing its essence or tone. A standout score and committed performances ensure this production is an unmissable event in any opera enthusiast's calendar.
I was blown away by Turnage's adaptation of The Railway Children, it's like he took a classic tale and gave it a fresh new coat of paint 
. I love how the train noises were used to create this electric atmosphere, it really brought the story to life 
. And that score? 
It's infectious, I found myself tapping my feet along with the action on stage 
. The cast was top-notch too, especially Jessica Cale as Bobbie, she brought so much energy to the role 
. All in all, a fantastic production that will get you hooked from start to finish 
Turnage's score is insane, it's like you're right there on the train with them! 
The way he uses sound effects to build tension is pure genius. And those cast choices are spot on - Jessica Cale is amazing as Bobbie, her vocals just soar 
I just watched "The Railway Children" and oh man, it was like a breath of fresh air! The new take on the 1906 classic by Mark-Anthony Turnage really gets you hooked from start to finish. The way he weaves together train noises with orchestral textures is pure magic 
. And can I just say how much I love the modern twist? Incorporating Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring" adds this whole new layer of depth to the story. The cast is on point too, especially Jessica Cale as Bobbie - she totally nails that feisty vibe 
!
I mean, I'm not saying the whole thing was perfect but Turnage's score had me feeling like I was on that train with those three kids! The way he wove those Stravinsky bits into it was genius 
she totally owned that role! The only thing that kept me from giving it a full 5/5 was Mr Perks' character feeling a bit one-dimensional, but overall I'd say Turnage's done an amazing job bringing this classic to life in a fresh and exciting way 
. Can't they optimize their layout or something? It's like they want us to be too busy appreciating the music to even notice how clunky the site is. And don't even get me started on the font – it's all bold and obnoxious! 
A nice, clean, readable font would make a huge difference. Anyway, back to The Railway Children...
I gotta say, this reimagining of The Railway Children is a wild ride! Mark-Anthony Turnage's score is like a train whistle blowing through your emotions - it's intense and captivating! 
. The cast is on point, but let's be real, Turnage's masterclass score is what makes this production shine 
and incorporating stravinsky's "the rite of spring" is pure genius 
. The score is insane btw, I mean who knew train noises could be so emotive? 
mark anthony turnage's score is like whoa - train noises, harp passages, and all that jazz... it's so atmospheric and tense! 
the cast did an amazing job too, esp jessica cale as bobbie (she was soooo good!) and edward hawkins as david (so emotional 
Anyway, if you're an opera fan or just looking for something new to sink your teeth into, this is a must-see! 
! Mark-Anthony Turnage's score is pure magic, like a train whistle blowing into my soul 
. I love how they've reimagined the story for the 80s, making it fresh and exciting for new audiences 
. Can't wait to check this out on Broadway! 
. And can we talk about the cast? Jessica Cale as Bobbie? Iconic 
the cast is amazing too, i loved jessica cale as bobbie, she's got so much energy 
and edward hawkins as david, his voice just gives me all the feels 
anyway, turnage's score is EVERYTHING, it's like he's speaking directly to my soul 
. The cast does a fantastic job bringing the story to life, especially Jessica Cale as Bobbie, she's got some serious pipes 
.