Olivier nod for Railway Children

The play's star attraction is a real steam locomotive

York Theatre Royal has received two prestigious Olivier award nominations.

The theatre's production of The Railway Children has been nominated for Best Entertainment and Best Sound Design for its 2010 run at Waterloo Station.

This version of the classic children's story, featuring a real steam locomotive, was first performed at York's National Railway Museum (NRM).

After success in York in 2008 and 2009, it transferred to London last year. The winners will be announced on March 13.

The production, in co-operation with York's NRM, was three years in the planning before it reached the purpose-built stage in a railway shed in the summer of 2008.

The Railway Children The Railway Children was published in 1906, and is the story of three children, Roberta, Peter and Phyllis, whose lives change dramatically after their father is arrested on suspicion of being a spy. They move with their mother from London, to a cottage near a railway line in rural Yorkshire, where they hope to one day see their father again. They gradually adapt to their changed circumstances and finally become part of the community when they bravely prevent a rail disaster.

Speaking to BBC Radio York in 2008, the theatre's artistic director, Damian Cruden, explained the complexity of the production:

"We built a theatre in a space that is not a theatre. We needed a railway track and we built the theatre around that track."

Stage on rails

A rail track ran through the auditorium at the museum and there were 30-foot-long platforms either side of the track.

The acting took place on both platforms and on various stages on rails, which moved up and down the full length of the railway shed.

The highlight of the show was the appearance of a real steam locomotive.

The success of the original 2008 production saw a second production in 2009 and then it was the turn of London audiences to enjoy the spectacle.

The London show, which ran until January 2011, has been seen by 165,000 people and was performed in a purpose-built 1000 seat theatre on the old Eurostar tracks at Waterloo Station.

The show will make its international debut in Canada later this year.

The Olivier Awards

The Laurence Olivier Awards were created in 1976, then called the Society West End Theatre Awards, to recognise excellence on the London stage.

They were rebranded in 1984 when Lord Olivier agreed to have his name associated with them.

A spokesperson for York Theatre Royal said they were 'delighted' with the nomination, "This is a huge achievement for a regional theatre to gain such high acclaim.

"To be nominated alongside the best in the business, and to be making an impact on the London theatre scene, it is clear to see this is a theatre with great ambition and confidence in the work they produce."

The award winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on March 13.