New musical The Naughty Carriage on the Orphan Train is the ideal vehicle to showcase the talents of a group of young performers from the British Youth Music Theatre. With a cast of nearly 40 from across the West Midlands, the show gives lots of the young people their moment in the spotlight as the action and songs pass back and forth between different children on the train.

The show was created by Luke Saydon on music and lyrics and Carl Miller on book and lyrics in conjunction with young people with lived experience of the care system and with BYMT. First performed in Dundee in 2023 but developed and expanded for this new staging, the tale is inspired by a true story of trains crossing the USA filled with orphans hoping to be adopted by families along the route.

And so the story takes us on board the train with a group of children who are all searching for the perfect family, or indeed a family willing to take them in. With no adults among them, their nominal leader is their fellow orphan Appoline who advises them on how to get picked and knows the ropes only too well. But when an opinionated fellow orphan called Champ turns up with her own ideas on how to find a family, the youngsters have to choose who to follow.

The tale comes from the heart but its narrative isn’t always consistent or necessarily logical. But what does come through is the desire of the orphans to be wanted and loved – and who doesn’t desire that in life?

What shines from this performance is without a doubt the cast. All the young people are brimming with enthusiasm and talent. Blaize Middleton brings lots of energy to her role as Champ as she leaps around the stage urging her fellow orphans to take initiative and make their own way. Eiry Shi gives us an Appoline who is determined to help the other children even when she sees no clear future for herself.

Directed by Emily Gray, the production is packed full of lively songs performed with punchy choreography from Ash Mukherjee which give the youngsters plenty of opportunity to fill the stage with their voices and their presence. The cast are also supported by a group of musicians playing a live soundtrack.

Claire Nicoll’s set places the train at the rear of the stage with a replaceable station sign taking us from one place to another. Her costumes see the children in patched pinafores and ragged trousers.

In many ways the story is very downbeat as these children struggle to find a path to happiness but ultimately they discover their strength lies in each other ensuring we leave in a burst of joy and optimism. The greatest pleasure though is seeing so many young people enjoying being on stage, gaining experience and hopefully taking steps towards future careers as actors.

Four stars

Reviewed by Diane Parkes at Birmingham Hippodrome on Friday 25 April.