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?
From Wednesday 11 June 2025, STARLIGHT EXPRESS will introduce Gavin Adams as Rusty, Sophie Naglik as Pearl, Olivia Ringrose as Greaseball, Asher Forth as Electra and Georgia Pemberton as Dinah. They will be joining Jade Marvin as Momma McCoy and Jaydon Vijn as Hydra.
The STARLIGHT EXPRESS company is completed by 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, Scott Hayward, Dante Hutchinson, Iwan James, Lewis Kidd, Hannah Kiss, Nicole Louise-Lewis, Bethany Rose Lythgoe, Jessica Niles, Temi Olawole, Harrison Peterkin, RED, Ashley Rowe, Nicky Wong Rush, Charlie Russell, Gary Sheridan, Lara Vina Uzcatia and Amber Weston.
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, 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
There will be an Audio Described Performance on Friday 3rd October 7:30 PM. Touch tour will be from 5:30-6:00 PM
We will also be having Live Subtitled Performances on Saturday 17th May 7:30 Pm and Thursday 16 October 7:30 PM
BSL Performances will be on Thursday 15th May 2:30 PM and Saturday 11th October 2:30 PM
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
