"The audience fell in love with Bob. A truly compelling show, expertly executed by a trio of skilled & acclaimed performers"
"The audience fell in love with Bob. A truly compelling show, expertly executed by a trio of skilled & acclaimed performers"
"Railway Bob - The Show", celebrates the amazing life and adventures of a beloved South Australian 'celebrity dog'. We tell the amazing tale of the 'Gentleman dog' who travelled by himself on the trains of Australia to the cities and to the Outback......for 12 years. Using beautiful storytelling, songs and puppetry, this true story is based on the over 100 accounts of Railway Bob as published in the colonial newspapers of the 1880s & 90s.
Be captivated as we bring you..
The best TRUE dog story ever told on the stage.
Yes it's Railway Bob
Experience the magic of live storytelling theatre, songs and fantastic puppetry with Railway Bob - The Show. This touring show tells the amazing TRUE story of a celebrity dog who travelled on the railways of Australia 'just like a person'. Loved by the railwaymen and public alike Bob was an independent spirit!
Railway Bob trailer
Review: Railway Bob
All aboard! Fall in love with ‘Bob the Railway Dog’ again and again
as this trainspotting dog’s story is told with whimsy and heart.
By Emily Hutchinson | @em47456
Last year, I met some fellow actors and heard about their upcoming Fringe show about a dog who rode the rails. Since then, I’ve counted down the days until I could merge my love of theatre and man’s best friend.
Railway Bob is a charming and fascinating tale of the cheeky and shaggy Bob, a koolie who befriended train drivers in the 1800s. Bob became a celebrity as tales of his adventures spread across the bush frontiers. A true nomad, ‘Bob the Drivers’ Dog’ was an original trainspotter; rather than shooing away the awkward ball of love, the drivers adopted him for ten years. Bob’s story is so multi-layered that revealing too much more would diminish the finely-crafted surprises the creators deliver.
Expertly executed by a trio of highly skilled and acclaimed performers, Bob is bought to life through the masterful work of experienced puppeteer, Uma Preston. His story is told through enchanting narration spearheaded by Keith Preston, whose craft as a singer songwriter and comedian keeps the enthralling narrative chugging along. Rounding out the talented trio is the utterly delightful Deborah Baldassi, who creates a truly compelling show through her co-narration and perfectly-mixed keyboard melodies.
The gorgeous keyboard work by Baldassi set the scene for the audience to fall in love with Bob. It is often a risk to employ music in a show, yet thankfully Mr Preston’s interludes add a sense of nostalgia and warmth. It felt as if the audience were both transported through time while somehow being stuck to their seat and nestled in a cosy bar.
Bob’s tale is the perfect balm for the mad world. By the show’s end, Ms Preston’s mastery had me in tears; I had forgotten Bob was a puppet and the real Bob was long gone. Thanks to the three performers, Bob the Railway Dog will live long in the hearts of those who are touched by his endless spirit of adventure.
5 Stars *****A magical show with great songs, lively theatre, storytelling & beautiful puppetry
telling the true story of SA’s Celebrity Dog ‘Railway Bob’.
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In the 1880’s & 90s Bob travelled on the steam trains of Australia ‘just like a person’, the official mascot of the SA Railwaymen his journeys, adventures and story is mentioned 100 times in newspapers of the period. Known and loved by the railwaymen and public alike he travelled extensively throughout SA and even as far as Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. His favourite lines being SA’s mid-North, Broken Hill and Adelaide.
Our show traces his story from his birth, to his travelling days full of legendary feats & adventures and his mysterious death in Hindley Street, Adelaide.
With Sold-Out Fringe shows ‘Railway Bob’ brings to life a bygone age of Adelaide and Outback SA and the world’s best ever dog story (we kid you not)
Using original newspaper reports & railway folklore..
This is ‘dogumentary’ theatre at its very best.
Quotes:
Railway Bob is an 'Awesome show!! -Theatre 44 - Broken Hill
· It is the complete picture that they paint of a bygone era …Superb storytelling.. Charming beyond measure. “The Clothesline”
· Fresh, dynamic and very enjoyable. The performers reminded me of classic street artists - Isabella Bracco - Tabhu Theatre
· A captivating show that seamlessly weaves together songs, puppetry, and stagecraft to recount the remarkable story of a canine adventurer in late 1800s South Australia. The show's energetic pace and heartwarming story kept the audience engaged from start to finish. The puppetry was so masterful that at times, I found myself completely forgetting that Railway Bob was anything but a real, living dog. Such skilful manipulation added an extra layer of enchantment to an already captivating performance. - Stephen Lock – Musician/Composer
· Loved the show!! My husband loves railways and I love dogs so this show was perfect for us!! Such a special story, beautifully crafted and delivered by talented performers. Bob the puppet is perfectly formed and so realistic that we wanted to pat him on the head. Do not miss this show, history, entertainment and fun rolled into one! - Phyllis Livingstone
· Just been to the Fringe to see Railway Bob - what a thoroughly enjoyable show! The performers did a fantastic job, good songs, well presented but Bob stole the show! -Julie Cavanagh / Radio 5TripleZ
Bob is still remembered and celebrated with a statue in Peterborough, a sculpture and display at the National Railway Museum, where his famous collar is on display, Three books have been written about this famous dog, a documentary video, Facebook page and website and even a tourist trail in Terowie. Bob had several official portraits painted which are still in existence.
Rymill Park Adelaide City
The Lark Theatre- Gluttony (Rymill Park)
Tues- Sun 3-8 March
Rymill Park Adelaide City
Rymill Park Adelaide City
The Lark Theatre- Gluttony (Rymill Park)
Tues- Sun 3-8 March
Rymill Park Adelaide City
Rymill Park Adelaide City
The Lark Theatre- Gluttony (Rymill Park)
Tues- Sun 3-8 March
Rymill Park Adelaide City
Rymill Park Adelaide City
The Lark Theatre- Gluttony (Rymill Park)
Tues- Sun 3-8 March
Rymill Park Adelaide City
Rymill Park Adelaide City
The Lark Theatre- Gluttony (Rymill Park)
Tues- Sun 3-8 March
Rymill Park Adelaide City
For inquiries about Railway Bob - The Show please send us en email
We will get back to you soon!
Mon | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm | |
Tue | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm | |
Wed | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm | |
Thu | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm | |
Fri | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm | |
Sat | Closed | |
Sun | Closed |
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