site-specificity

THE RAILWAY CHILDREN

by Edith Nesbit

Adapted by Mike Kenny

Waterloo Station

The York Theatre Royal production

in association with the National Railway Museum

Welcome to Yorkshire

The Touring Consortium (RC) 2011 Ltd.

Director: Damian Cruden

Design: Joanna Scotcher

Lighting: Richard G Jones

Composer: Christopher Madin

Sound: Craig Vear

Photo: Simon Annand

This was all the things that were written about it: atmospheric, cinematic, charming, nostalgic, contemporary, entertaining and political. 

But there was something curious about being at a defunct late 20th./early 21st. century Eurostar terminus one minute, and then being transported into a 'made' theatre space that was then not in the least bit recognisable in terms of its site-specific, site-sensitive environment.

The theatre transformation was so thorough - so complete - that the site-specific environment was totally disguised - the only reminder of the locale was the occasional sound of some active trains beyond...