Evergreen family classic The Railway Children returns to the stage this week when Avalon Theatre Company bring their own version to the Charles Cryer Theatre.

Directed by Sue Davids, the show will be a musical take on the E Nesbit tale that was memorably made into a 1970 film starring Jenny Agutter.

And Davids accepts that in the current climate, familiarity often breeds success.

She explains: “There was a simple reason for wanting to put this on - and that is that it is something most people have heard of.

“You always have to be very conscious of the fact that these days, people do not turn up to watch something if they do not know it.

“Plus, and this was equally important, we wanted a production that could use the very talented children that we have in the group - and you don’t get many better opportunities than this.”

The vintage tale of a Victorian family and their tribulations, set against the excitement of the steam train era, has kept audiences entertained through the years with countless film, television and stage adaptations.

And Davids reckons it is easy to see why the story has proved so popular.

She adds: “It really is a cracking feel-good tale.

“We have tweaked it a bit, so it does not run exactly like the film versions as there is stuff you just cannot do on stage.

“But it is still the same charming, perfect family show.”

Davids has been a veteran of numerous productions through the years, and she admits this one is one that caught the imagination of her members.

She reveals: “We had some really good auditions - so much so that we have in fact got two different sets of children playing the roles on alternate nights.

“It has made rehearsals a bit difficult, as we have had to go through everything twice.

“But, on the positive side, you get two groups of friends and family to come and watch!”

Railway Children, Charles Cryer Theatre, May 12-16, 7.30pm, £10-£12, 020 8770 6990