Andrew Lloyd Webber’s STARLIGHT EXPRESS announces London closure at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre in May 2026.
(C) Pamela Raith
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s STARLIGHT EXPRESS will extend its award-winning run at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre for the final time, with performances until Sunday 3 May 2026.
STARLIGHT EXPRESS made a triumphant return to London when the new production opened to widespread critical acclaim in June 2024. Since then, it has gone on to win multiple awards, including Best Off-West End Show at the 2025 West End Wilma Awards.
STARLIGHT EXPRESS will embark on its first ever World Tour in 2027. All details will be announced at a later date.
Seen by over 30 million people across the world, STARLIGHT EXPRESS is a true theatrical event, fully immersing audiences of all ages inside a world of speed, song and storytelling, as the 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’.
The STARLIGHT EXPRESS company includes Gavin Adams as Rusty, Jade Marvin as Momma McCoy, Olivia Ringrose as Greaseball, Asher Forth as Electra, Sophie Naglik as Pearl, Georgia Pemberton as Dinah, Jaydon Vijn as Hydra, Scott Hayward as Alternate Rusty and Jamie Addison, Jessie Angell, Ollie Augustin, Evan Taylor Benyacar, Charles Butcher, Cletus Chan, Tamara Verhoven Clyde, Jamie Cruttenden, Kelly Downing, Isaac Edwards, Maddy Erzan-Essien, Sam Gallacher, Lucy Glover, Amiyah Goodall, Dante Hutchinson, Iwan James, Lewis Kidd, Hannah Kiss, Nicole Louise-Lewis, Bethany Rose Lythgoe, Temi Olawole, RED, Ashley Rowe, Sheridan, Dieuwke Tonissen, Nicky Wong Rush, Charlie Russell, Lara Vina Uzcatia and Amber Weston.
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 Denise Crowley and casting by Pearson Casting.
What did I think of Starlight Express?
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!
REVIEW: Starlight Express at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre ★★★★
Additional information
Booking until
3 May 2026
Show Times
Wednesday (select dates), Thursday, Saturday, Sunday at 2.30pm
Wednesday-Saturday at 7.30pm
Running Time
2 hours 20 mins (including 20 min interval)
Theatre
Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre
Age Recommendation
3+
Access Performances
