Starlight Express confirms new lead casting

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s seven-time WhatsOnStage Award-winning Starlight Express has announced new lead casting.

Following the departure of Jeevan Braich yesterday, the company will now feature Scott Hayward as Rusty, alongside lead cast members Jade Marvin as Momma McCoy, Olivia Ringrose as Greaseball, Asher Forth as Electra, Sophie Naglik as Pearl and Georgia Pemberton as Dinah and Jaydon Vijn as Hydra.

Control is played by Aanya Devi Sharma, Christopher Azzopardi, George Jones, Shayan Ghai and Mila Isaacs.

The musical tells the story of Rusty the steam train, who dreams of becoming the fastest engine in the world. Since its 1984 premiere, Starlight Express has been seen by more than 30 million people worldwide.

A new piano/vocal book has also been published by Hal Leonard, featuring 17 songs from the current London production.

The creative team is led by director Luke Sheppard, with set design by Tim Hatley, costumes by Gabriella Slade, lighting by Howard Hudson, sound by Gareth Owen and video by Andrzej Goulding. Orchestrations are by Matthew Brind with Lloyd Webber, musical supervision by Brind and David Wilson, musical direction by Denise Crowley and casting by Pearson Casting. Ashley Nottingham provides new choreography, with Arlene Phillips returning as creative dramaturg.

Performances take place at the Starlight Auditorium at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, located within Wembley Park and a short walk from Wembley Park station.

The WhatsOnStage Awards were for Best Musical Revival, Best Professional Debut Performance (Braich), Best Costume Design (Slade) Best Set Design (Hatley), Best Video Design (Goulding), Best Lighting Design (Hudson) and Jackie Saundercock and Campbell Young Associates took home the first-ever WhatsOnStage Award for Best Wigs, Hair and Make-Up Design.

It is now booking until 19 April 2026.