ASHES To Ashes star Marshall Lancaster will return to the role of Mr Perks in York Theatre Royal’s award-winning production of The Railway Children when it transfers to Waterloo Station, London, this summer.

Marshall first played the station master in the 2008 show at the National Railway Museum, York, and will be reunited with fellow original cast member Sarah Quintrell, who will complete a hat trick of appearances as Roberta, having starred in the 2008 and 2009 productions.

Caroline Harker will lead the new additions as Mother, joined in Damian Cruden’s company by Nicholas Bishop as Peter; Louisa Clein, Phyllis; David Baron, The Old Gentleman; Elizabeth Keates, Mrs Perks; Roger May, Father and Doctor; Amanda Prior, Mrs Viney; Steven Kynman, Jim; and Blair Plant, a familiar face over the years in the Theatre Royal rep, as Shepansky. Grace Rowe, Mat Ruttle and children from Lambeth and Southwark will complete the cast.

Cruden, the Theatre Royal artistic director, has reunited his 2008 and 2009 production team of designer Joanna Scotcher, lighting designer Richard G. Jones, composer Christopher Madin and sound designer Craig Vear to create The Railway Children in a new theatre space in the former Eurostar terminal at Waterloo Station.

Mike Kenny’s adaptation of E Nesbit’s novel was first staged by the Theatre Royal in association with the NRM in a converted freight depot at the York museum in Summer 2008, with a Stirling Single steam train as its star turn, and the London transfer will coincide with the 40th anniversary of the Academy Award-nominated film.

Backed by sponsorship from Welcome To Yorkshire, Cruden’s production will preview from July 4 and the show is booking until September 5. Performances are on Mondays and Wednesday to Saturday at 7.30pm; Thursdays and Saturdays at 2.30pm; and Sundays at 1pm and 5pm. The July 4 preview will start at 5pm. The entrance is to the right of the main entrance at Waterloo. Tickets cost £20.50 to £45.50, including a £1 donation to The Railway Children's Charity, on 0871 2970740. For more details, visit www.railwaychildrenwaterloo.com.

Marshall Lancaster will appear in the last ever episode of Ashes To Ashes, in the role of Chris Skelton, at 9pm tomorrow (FRI) on BBC1.