Synopsis The theatre is completely transformed as Rusty (the shy steam engine) races against Greaseball (the flashy diesel locomotive) to win the love of the most beautiful carriage in town, Pearl. Fuses state of the art technology, electrifying songs and music,dazzling sets and costumes. Two hours of speed, spectacle, excitement and energy! Starlight Express at the newly refurbished Apollo Victoria Theatre, now in its 18th year, has been completely updated with new special effects and some new orchestrations.
Note: The cast for this production has changed since the writing of this review. For current cast details, please see the Starlight Express listing entry. If you have seen the current cast and would like to send in your comments for posting on this page, please email us.
Starlight Express first opened in London in March 1984. It was revised, with five new numbers added, in 1993. It is now the second longest running musical in West End history (Lloyd Webber's Cats being the first) and, doubtless, the only musical to be performed solely on roller skates.
The premise for the play is impossibly silly. Lloyd Webber has done for trains just as he did for cats - personified them and given them angst. But, while you can work up feeling for characters of the feline persuasion, love and loathing amongst a toy train set is a bit much to swallow.
What there is of a story centres around the championship race which pits likable steamer Rusty (James Gillan) against his more modern and aggressive diesel and electric competitors. As we build up to the big race, we are introduced to the array of locomotive personalities - freight cars, engines, carriage cars - in Transformer-style costume. Despite the rewrite, some of these numbers are looking quite dated, with a fair dose of break-dancing and rap.
Having said that, Starlight Express is very engaging. The set - a race track which loops several times around the entire theatre - is huge and amazing. And it is pretty exciting when the actors whizz by on their skates, inches from your seat.
Even the music, which at first sounds relatively hum-drum, grows on you. By the second act, you are humming along. The last two songs - the romantic “Next Time You Fall in Love” and the adrenalin-pumping “Light at the End of the Tunnel” - are especially hummable and the megamix finale really is good.
The songs are aided by some talented singing - particularly the warmly baritone Ray Shell as Poppa and Gillan as his young apprentice. All four of the leading females - a.k.a. the carriage cars - are also very strong and have a great time at the more comic numbers. And I must say, I have the utmost admiration for the whole cast in their ability to sing and dance on roller skates!
Apparently, Lloyd Webber wrote (and re-wrote) Starlight Express for his own children. Kids - and trainspotters - should love it. And, if you're willing to suspend disbelief and cynicism for a night, adults will enjoy it too.
I went along with my Mum and some work collegues. Mum and I were poss. the only ones who did not really enjoy it I'm afraid. The singing (apart from the older steam train character) and the child's (controller) voice I found to be very shrilly and set my teeth on edge. Usually I enjoy every show I watch but I could not warm to this plot or it's 1950's & 1980's feel which I found to be garish and crass. - USER: Whatsonstage.com
16 Sep 01
Sorry- but this is not a good show (in my opinion). The songs are crass and apart from the gimmick of the trains coming off the stage - there is nothing to see here! If your idea of a good song is one about a train needing oil- this is as good as it gets. Avoid and let it close. - USER: Whatsonstage.com
24 Aug 01
it's such a shame that starlight is finishing. it's gonna be sadly missed - USER: Whatsonstage.com
23 Aug 01
I've been hearing about the show for years, but I hadn't actually seen it until a few weeks ago. It was incredible! I've never seen so much energy and fun packed into two hours. I gave it a four only because the woman who played Pearl was one of the most awful performers I've ever seen. I'm only sad it's not playing in the States or else I'd see it more often! - USER: Whatsonstage.com
19 Jul 01
I have seen this show allready six times. 2 times i've seen it in Bochum Germany, and the other ones in London. [I live in Holland].I must say the English version is the very best. And hopefully it's not the last time I have seen it. - USER: Whatsonstage.com
28 May 01
I love this show, it's unique... you really have to see this show to believe it! However, it's very surreal, so if you like gritty realism, it's probably not the show for you! - USER: Whatsonstage.com
01 May 01
This show is the best musical in the world!!! It is funny, exciting and light years ahead compared to any other musical!! Sorry to quote the theatre banner there!!
I have seen the show many times, and each was an amazing experience!! - USER: Whatsonstage.com
26 Apr 01
Please put these kind of shows out of their misery to make way for something new and fresh which deserves a chance. - USER: Whatsonstage.com
06 Apr 01
It is one of my favourite musicals when I discovered the world of musical. From the beginning till the end it's brilliant. I want to be part of this rollerskate musical. - USER: Whatsonstage.com
Built in 1930 as a cinema (New Victoria). 1524 seats+40 standing, (2574 seats but many lost to Starlight Express set). Society of London Theatre member.
Whatsonstage.com - Discount London theatre tickets, theatre news and reviews, Theatre videos, Theatre discussion, National Theatre Listings. Covering London's West End, all of Theatreland and all UK theatre. The best
for London Theatre Ticket Discounts.
