Where and when?
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s STARLIGHT EXPRESS, has returned to London in a brand-new production at the purpose-built, specially designed Starlight Auditorium at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, and is playing now! Most recently, the Troubadour was home to Newsies, which ended in July 2023.
Who’s in the cast?
Casting includes Jeevan Braich as Rusty, Kayna Montecillo as Pearl, Jade Marvin as Momma McCoy, Al Knott as Greaseball, Eve Humphrey as Dinah and Tom Pigram as Electra. Ollie Augustin, Charles Butcher, Renz Cardenas, Catherine Cornwall, Jamie Cruttenden, Kelly Downing, Asher Forth, Sam Gallacher, Lucy Glover, Pablo Gómez Jones, Scott Hayward, Lilianna Hendy, Lewis Kidd, Hannah Kiss, Oscar Kong, Emily Martinez, Deearna Mclean, Marianthe Panas, David Peter-Brown, RED, Bethany Rose-Lythgoe, Ashley Rowe, Gary Sheridan, Elly Shaw, Jessica Vaux, Jaydon Vijn, Lara Vina Uzcatia, Sharon Wattis and Ashlyn Weekes.
Creative team
STARLIGHT EXPRESS has music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Richard Stilgoe, is directed by Luke Sheppard, with set designer Tim Hatley, costume designer Gabriella Slade, lighting designer Howard Hudson, sound designer Gareth Owen, video designer Andrzej Goulding, new orchestrations by Matthew Brind with Andrew Lloyd Webber, Musical Supervision by Matthew Brind & David Wilson, Musical Direction by Laura Bangay and Casting by Pearson Casting.
With thrilling new choreography by Ashley Nottingham, STARLIGHT EXPRESS also sees the return of Arlene Phillips as creative dramaturg.
What’s the show about?
A true theatrical event, STARLIGHT EXPRESS will fully immerse audiences of all ages inside a world of speed, song and storytelling as an incredible cast of 40 whizz around and above, performing some of musical theatre’s most beloved songs, including AC/DC, Make Up My Heart, Light at the End of the Tunnel and the iconic Starlight Express.
As a child’s train set magically comes to life and the engines race to become the fastest in the world, Rusty the steam train has little hope of winning until he is inspired by the legend of the ‘Starlight Express’.
Seen around the world by over 20 million people, Starlight Express is an electrifying experience for all ages.
Assisted performances
TBC
What did I think?
A sensory feast for the eyes, Starlight Express gets your heart racing around the track, as characters compete in a competition of energy supplies. Can trusty Rusty the steam engine, match the speed of the new diesel powered locomotive? With buffet carts, freight trains and dining cars cheering them on, anything can happen.
Jeevan Braich‘s West End debut is one to watch as Rusty – just phenomenal in all ways and Jade Marvin as Momma McCoy is a delight to watch. In fact, each member of the cast adds another layer to this production in what feel like genderless roles in many ways (I guess they are trains).
The music is secondary to the visual spectacle that takes place on stage. The mediocre songs aren’t the reason to go and see this show and it makes sense why the original cast recording has passed me by all these years – the songs just aren’t that catchy. The story is a bit dull but none of this matters. The set, the costumes and the roller skating backflips make you feel like you’re watching the Eurovision Song Contest at the iMax cinema – immersed in the biggest spectacle of the year.
An absolute must-see!
Where can I get tickets?
https://westendwilma.londontheatredirect.com/musical/starlight-express-tickets
