Paperback

🚂 All aboard for a magical family afternoon! 🎭

Paperback Theatre is delighted to bring its acclaimed stage adaptation of The Railway Children to Strines Pavilion, Stockport, on Saturday 25th July 2026.

Set against the backdrop of the village believed to have inspired E. Nesbit's timeless classic, this heartwarming production is perfect for audiences of all ages and is proudly supported by the Crewe to Manchester Community Rail Partnership.

📅 Saturday 25th July 2026
⏰ 11.30am and 3.00pm
📍 Strines Pavilion, Stockport, SK6 7GP

🎟 Tickets are available now via TicketSource.

Why not make a day of it? Explore the Railway Children-themed rail trails starting at Strines Railway Station on the Hope Valley Line and discover the landscapes that inspired this beloved story.

Don't miss this enchanting family event filled with adventure, nostalgia and railway magic!

🐸🌿 Wind in the Willows – Outdoor Theatre Summer Tour 2026 🌿🐭

Pack a picnic, gather the family, and join Mole, Ratty, Badger and the irrepressible Mr Toad for a fun, funny and utterly charming outdoor performance of The Wind in the Willows this summer!

Perfect for families, theatre lovers, and anyone who enjoys a wonderful afternoon in beautiful surroundings.

📍 Telford Town Park Telford & Wrekin Council – Thurs 23 July, 2.00pm

📍 Potteric Carr Nature Reserve Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Doncaster – Fri 24 July, 11.00am & 2.00pm

📍 Ordsall Hall, Salford – Sun 26 July, 1.30pm

📍 Waresley Park Estate Cambridgeshire – Fri 31 July, 3.00pm

📍 Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens, Birmingham – Wed 5 Aug, 3.00pm

📍 Hartland Abbey, North Coast Arts Devon – Sun 9 Aug, 4.00pm

✨ An enchanting adventure for all ages
🌳 Performed in stunning outdoor settings
🎭 A classic tale brought to life

Book your tickets today before they disappear down the riverbank!

🚂✨ All aboard for a timeless family adventure this summer! ✨🚂

🎭 The Railway Children
📅 Saturday 18th July | 🕝 2.30pm
📍 Bolton Gate Farm, Weston Coyney, ST3 5BD

Paperback Theatre returns with a brand-new adaptation of this classic tale, adapted by Charis McRoberts.

No WiFi. No Xbox. Water from a well?! When Bobbie, Peter and Phyllis are suddenly uprooted from city life and whisked away to the countryside, they discover mystery, adventure and friendship along the railway line at the bottom of their garden.

🚂 Why is the 08.11 always late?
🎁 What can they get Mr Perks for his birthday?
🕵️ Who is stealing from the coal yard?
❓ And where has Dad gone?

Fresh from their acclaimed tours of The Wind in the Willows and The Wizard of Oz, Paperback Theatre brings their signature humour, heart and storytelling magic to this much-loved classic.

🎟 Pay-What-You-Decide Tickets:
£20 Supporter | £15 Standard | £10 Subsidised

⏱ Running time: Approx. 1 hour 40 mins (including interval)
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Suitable for ages 7+
🪑 Bring your own chairs, blankets and picnic!
☔ Undercover outdoor venue – sheltered from the weather

We're proud to offer a relaxed and accessible theatre environment, if you require any assistance, please contact [email protected] 🌻

🎫 Book your tickets now: boltongatefarm.co.uk/arts

Join us for an unforgettable afternoon of live theatre, laughter and adventure! 🚂❤️

🚂✨ Experience The Railway Children under open skies at Cotswold Sculpture Park.

Join us for a moving and magical outdoor theatre performance of this beloved classic, brought to life in a beautiful new adaptation by Charis McRoberts.

⭐ "A beautiful exploration of complex feelings"
⭐ "I had goosebumps by the end"
⭐ "Our first experience of outdoor theatre - amazing!"

📅 Saturday 11 July 2026
📍 Cotswold Sculpture Park

Bring a picnic, gather your family and enjoy an unforgettable summer theatre experience.

🎟️ Book now.

🌟 SPOTLIGHT ON... The Railway Children 🌟

We're delighted to be bringing our beautiful outdoor production of The Railway Children back for Summer 2026!

This brand-new adaptation by Charis McRoberts has been capturing hearts wherever it goes, with audiences saying:

💬 "A beautiful exploration of complex feelings"
💬 "I had goosebumps by the end"
💬 "Our first experience with outdoor theatre – we were totally amazed!"

Join us for an unforgettable journey filled with adventure, hope, family and friendship, performed in some of the UK's most beautiful outdoor settings.

🧺 Bring a picnic, gather your loved ones, and enjoy a magical afternoon or evening of theatre under the open sky.

🎟️ Summer 2026 Tour Dates

📍 11 July –
📍 18 July –
📍 19 July –
📍 25 July –
📍 28 July –
📍 29 July –
📍 30 July – Nature & Wellbeing Centre
📍 31 July –

📍 1 August – Victoria Gardens
📍 2 August –
📍 4 August –
📍 8 August – Castle Lawn, Bude
📍 13 August –
📍 14 August – Common Room Garden Oundle
📍 16 August –
📍 21 August –
📍 22 August –
📍 23 August – Amphitheatre

✨ Which venue will you be joining us at? Tell us in the comments!

Can't wait to be rolling into Strines this July for a very special performance of The Railway Children with Crewe to Manchester CRP

E.Nesbit's much loved classic has been adapted for the stage and will be in Strines in July! Paperback Theatre will bring this wonderful story to life at Strines Pavilion, close to the station that inspired the author. More details here: https://www.crewe2manchesterrail.org.uk/news/2026/the-railway-children-takes-to-the-stage-in-strines/

🌟 Our 2026 Tour Opening Month Was Absolutely Magical! 🌟

We kicked off our 2026 tour with a delightful month of unforgettable moments!

Huge thanks to Bude Lit Fest , Chatsworth House Events Family Festival, York Theatre Royal and Waresley Park Estate for hosting us so wonderfully!

Meeting so many wonderful audiences in some of the UK’s most stunning locations was just pure joy. 🌿🏰

And we were especially thrilled to introduce first-time outdoor theatre-goers—hope it was a magical experience for all the little ones! 👧🧒🎟️

Here’s to more laughter, stories, and shared moments ahead! 💚

As Moley says - "we'll be back to do it all again soon!"

Can't wait for our next outdoor performance at the absolutely stunning Waresley Park Estate!

Come catch us on Sunday for our riotous, silly and heartwarming production of the The Wind in the Willows!

🌟 Perfect for active kids!
🌟 “Exactly what live theatre should be about!”
🌟 “My 9-year-old says 5 STARS!”

Looking for some whimsical Half Term entertainment?

Join us on 31 May for the first of our open-air summer performances: The Wind in the Willows.

Against the backdrop of our hillside amphitheatre, you’ll follow Ratty, Badger and Toad on an adventure across the countryside.

Explore the full programme of events or book your tickets: https://waresleyparkestate.co.uk/amphitheatre

🎭 Fun, funny, and utterly charming! 🎭

Coming to York Theatre Royal this Saturday!

Don’t miss Paperback's riotous and ridiculous adaptation of The Wind in the Willows- with more kazoos than you can shake a stick at!

🌟 Perfect for active kids!
🌟 “Exactly what live theatre should be about!”
🌟 “My 9-year-old says 5 STARS!” ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The perfect way to start the last weekend of half term—bring the whole family for a laugh-out-loud adventure!

Grab your tickets now and get ready for a magical time! 🎟️✨

No WiFi. No Xbox. And water from a well?! This definitley isn't home!

Bobbie (that’s me), Peter & Phyllis (ow! Stop pinching me), I mean Phil, have been swept off to the English countryside by our Mom, who is suddenly far too busy to play with us. Left to fend for ourselves, we stumble upon a hidden world right outside our door: a railway at the bottom of their garden.

We follow the tracks which lead to mystery, adventure, and a some strange new friends—plus romance (stop retching Peter), danger, and questions that need answers:

🔍 What do you get Mr. Perks for his birthday when you can’t even afford sweets?
⏳ Why is the 08.11 train always late?
🕵️ Who’s sneaking into the abandoned coal yard at night?
🚂 And where is Dad?

Dive into our story—raw, real, and full of heart.

⭐ “A beautiful exploration of complex feelings”
⭐ “I had goosebumps!”
⭐ “A enchanting adaptation”

📅 Tour Dates (Don’t miss it!)
July:
📍 – Saturday 11th
📍 , Staffordshire – Saturday 18th
📍 , Buckinghamshire – Sunday 19th
📍 Strines Pavilion, Marple, Stockport – Saturday 25th
📍 , Bridgend, Wales – Tuesday 28th
📍 , Dudley – Wednesday 29th
📍 – Thursday 30th
📍 Waresley Park Estate, Cambridgeshire – Friday 31st

August:
📍 Victoria Gardens, Tewkesbury – Saturday 1st
📍 , Gloucestershire – Sunday 2nd
📍 , Shropshire – Tuesday 4th
📍 Castle Lawn, Bude – Saturday 8th
📍 , Kent – Thursday 13th
📍 Common Room Garden, – Friday 14th
📍 Cotteridge Park, Birmingham – Sunday 16th
📍 , Cambridgeshire – Friday 21st
📍 Abbey Pumping Station, – Saturday 22nd
📍 The Amphitheatre, Telford & Wrekin Council – Sunday 23rd

🎟️ Get your tickets now and join the adventure! (Link in bio)