HOLLYCOMBE Steam in the Country provided a magical backdrop for a series of performances of The Railway Children.

A new musical adaptation of Edith Nesbit’s classic tale of adventure, discovery and friendship was performed by Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud Youth Theatre in the woodland gardens below Hollycombe’s Victorian and Edwardian fairground.

The sun shone, visitors attended in their droves, and performances were enhanced by frequent toots of Hollycombe’s own miniature railway, which ran alongside the edge of the set.

Visitors to Hollycombe over the weekend also took the opportunity to meet Victoria the Traction Engine, star of Victoria’s Torton Tales story books, Tricky Nicky the Clown, and enjoy quiz trails and entertainment staged as part of Hollycombe’s annual teddy bear outing.

Hollycombe trustee Brian Gooding was delighted with the events.

He said: “We’ve had nothing but positive feedback from visitors about the weekend. The gardens really came alive with the performance of ‘The Railway Children’, and it was wonderful to see so many young children spellbound at the production.”

Performers Alicia Newell, who played Roberta, and Ted Haynes, who played Perks the Railway Guard, enjoyed the stunning setting of the gardens.

Ted said: “We were very lucky with the weather and the open air performance space was magical.

“It was great that the passing miniature railway sounded its horn and at times it couldn’t have been better judged to link in with the play.”

Assistant director of the Yvonne Arnaud Youth Theatre Ellie Johnson was delighted that the cast had adapted to its new surroundings.

She said: “For many this was the first time they had performed in the open air, with new challenges such as voice projection, and they will all have learnt so much.

“Everyone was buoyed by the reception the audience gave the play.”

Hollycombe continues to be open until August 28 during the summer holidays, opening at 11am with steam rides from 12.30pm.

Admission to Hollycombe is £16 for adults, £14 for seniors and £12 for children.