• home
• visitor information
• what's here & what's on
• collections
• flying scotsman
• educators
• research & archives
• shop online
• corporate partnership
• corporate hire
• vacancies & volunteers
• friends
• press office
• connect & contact us
• links
• search

• what's here
• what's on
• platform 4 theatre

Platform 4 Theatre

The National Railway Museum offers theatre programmes almost every weekend throughout the year using outside consultant actor/interpreters and education and learning staff. Platform 4 Theatre represents part of the programme of public events and is part of the education service.

Platform 4 Theatre is one of the longest established museum theatre companies in the UK. It was formed in 1990, specifically to engage, entertain and educate visitors in the historical, social and personal significance of railway stories through short scripted plays in gallery spaces.

Its current repertoire includes shows about Stephenson's Rocket, royal trains, the railways during the two world wars, postwar nationalisation, the end of the age of steam, the story of freight, and the development of the Japanese Bullet Train in the 1960s.

Each Saturday and Sunday there are usually four performances (10.50, 12.00, 13.00 and 14.50) which are free of charge to all museum visitors.
Times may be subject to change during special events. Please check the daily programme on your arrival at the admissions desk.

Book a special education workshop/performance

The Shows

The 10.00am (Great Hall) The story of the 'Flying Scotsman' in the heyday of steam, speed and style.

All 4 One (Great Hall) As 1948 dawns, a guard tries to convince a disgruntled fireman about the benefits of 'all 4' private railway companies becoming 'One' under BR.

A Right Royal Christmas (Station Hall) An Edwardian servant tells a seasonal tale of life on board the Royal Train.

Beyond the Call of Duty (Station Hall) show that tells the moving and inspiring story of driver John Axon who, 50 years ago this year, was decorated for making the ultimate sacrifice, demonstrating courage beyond the call of duty.

The Big Four (Station Hall) On the eve of nationalisation, a fireman and a guard reflect on the glory days of the 'Big Four' railway companies, including tales of the 'Flying Scotsman' and 'Mallard'.

The British Lion (Station Hall) A station refreshments lady and a Butlin's 'Redcoat' await the arrival of happy campers whilst singing the praises of British Railways in delivering people on their holidays.

Brunel's Billiard Table (Great Hall) The story of a genius of early railway engineering - as told by himself!

The End of the Line (Great Hall) It's 'all change' in the 1960s as alarmed railway staff discover that their line has been earmarked for closure under the infamous Beeching axe.

From the Pen of Fanny Kemble (Great Hall) Fanny Kemble was a famous Georgian actress... a true celebrity of her time. She recalls her memories of horse-drawn wagon-ways and her experience of riding on ‘Rocket’ at the opening of the Liverpool-Manchester Railway.

Is Your Journey Really Necessary? (Station Hall) In the days after victory in Europe has been declared, a York Station porter reflects on the remarkable achievement of the railways in WWII, on personal sacrifices people made and on lives that were changed forever.

Lady in Waiting (Station Hall) The story of Queen Victoria's Royal train, as seen by ladies-in-waiting and other women of the day.

Le Tunnel Sous La Manche (Great Hall) The incredible tale of C19th attempts to build the Channel Tunnel and the eventual C20th success!

My Line of Crime (Station Hall) The arresting story of crime on the railways from petty pilfering to the staging of bare-knuckle fisticuffs!

The Newcastle Rocket (Great Hall) The story of the early days of railways and the development of 'Rocket' as told by a wagon-way worker of the 1820s.

Off the Record (Station Hall) Railway tales you don't find in the history books from those who were there! Off the Record brings to life the NRM's newly created living history oral archive.

Out of Steam (Great Hall) The story of those fateful few months leading up to the end of steam in August 1968

Permanent Way (Station Hall) The story of railway lines that have become footpaths, cycle-ways and nature reserves offering a green haven for people and wildlife alike.

The Re-Opening Special (Great Hall) The triumph of early preserva.tion societies re-opening lines against the odds.

Royalty on Rails (Station Hall) A story about royal travel as seen through the eyes of a WWII guard assigned to the Royal Train.

Shinkansen (Great Hall) The story of the 'space-age' Bullet Train, a revolution on rails in 1960s Japan.

Sunny South Sam (Station Hall) In reality a publicity department invention, Sunny South Sam soon became an essential friend to holiday-bound passengers in the pre-war glory days of the Southern Railway.

Tickets Please! (Great Hall) A station master's family cope with the endless demands of passengers and the running of a busy station.

'V' for Victory (Station Hall) Alice tells the story of women at work on the railways during WWII.

What the Dickens! (Station Hall) A tale about the perils of rail travel in the days of Charles Dickens.

Wish You Were Here (Station Hall) All the joys of sun, sea and sand as the nation goes on holiday by train during the postwar years of the 1950s.