NEWS: Starlight Express is coming back to London! | what we know about the 2024 Troubadour revival
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- Опубліковано 15 чер 2024
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OHMYGOD HEY!
This morning, news broke that the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical STARLIGHT EXPRESS would be returning to the UK, with a 2024 revival at the Troubadour Theatre, Wembley Park.
In today's new video, find out everything we already know about this exciting, brand new production of the show...
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00:00 | introduction
01:49 | what is Starlight Express?
04:33 | what is the show about?
11:09 | what do we already know?
16:17 | who is in the creative team?
19:57 | who should be cast?
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#musical #starlightexpress #theatre - Розваги
I'm not a scientist but I am a train guy, and I can say the "Steam is better than Diesel and Electric" thing is... a weird choice.
It most likely boils down to the original story that AJW wanted to create for Starlight Express: an adaptation of The Railway Series (which was adapted as "Thomas the Tank Engine" for TV). To summarize a surprisingly complex story: in those universes (the books and shows), there is a strong bias against diesels because they replaced steam engines and saw themselves as superior, but our protagonists were steam trains so they were the good guys. I gather when Starlight was written, electric engines were roped into the "Steam is better than _" thing.
For the "who's better" question? Electric is ideally the best: simply for the environment, maximizing speed, acceleration, and cabin space (since the "engines" can be moved to all the wheels rather than a single locomotive). There are some drawbacks: like construction costs and the whole system could shut down if there is a problem with the wires. No disrespect on steam, though, because they bring a magical and spectacular feeling with reasonable speed (126 mph, 203 km/h is the fastest a steam train has gone). There is no other feeling like watching a steam train race by, whether in person or on UA-cam (which I have to do because I'm American and we don't have high speed steam engines going on runs as often as you Brits do)
Strangely though, an electric to steam conversion could **potentially** work. The biggest source of pollution with steam trains is the heating system (coal or gasoline), so while it would be weird and redundant to have steam engines using overhead wires or third rail, it could theoretically be done. I don't know much about diesel propulsion as much, but I would assume a conversion is *no* since I imagine their engines effectively work like a car or truck engine.
Thank you for the insight!
Fucking love railfans. Used to work for a train museum and those guys are the best. Taught me everything I know about 'em. Thank you for this.
I know during possibly world war 2 or a bit after, I think sweden was having trouble sourcing coal so they took like ten of their tiny 0-6-0 switchers and hooked them up so that the overhead wires provided heat to firebox, so that was an electric steam engine. It's still around, however they took off the pantographs when they got more coal
@bustedsiderods8544 Honestly, I believe it and your logic makes sense. WW2 Europe had some very weird train designs to try and work around the war.
@@sogenesis5738 Just went back and checked wikipedia. Apparently it was the Swiss railway, and only two were ever fitted with the gear. They had no coal in the mountains but plenty of hydroelectric power so they made do!
Here's the article so you can read about it for yourself if you'd like.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric-steam_locomotive
YES please DO dress up like a train, get drunk, and explain the plot to Starlight Express!!!
That would be a lot of fun!
I love the idea of a wheel chair user being Rusty. As an avid lover (and very minor historian) of Starlight Express, I feel like it brings a hold new spin to the chracter (no pun intended). Rusty's underdog story line fits well with stories of marginalized people, whether that be race, gender, sexuality of disability. By making Rusty, the lead, a wheel chair user, it opens up the diversity of the show while also making sense in the story - an engine who no one things will win, (spoiler alert) wins it all and gets the girl in the end. I feel like its a great message to have, especially in 2023.
I’m sure I remember hearing that when the show was first pitched, someone suggested wheelchairs for the trains (they were informed ‘don’t be silly, we’re using roller skates’ as if this was the most obvious solution in the world!). Anyway. It’s a good idea!
As a disabled person I love this idea had to give up my dream of being a dancer when I became disabled at 13 …glad that now others have a chance to be in musical theatre
Thankyou so much for being such an advocate for the disabled community, we need more people like you advocating for our inclusion in the theatre industry 🥰
As soon as you said Luke Shepherd is directing I thought of having wheelchair users in some roles instead of skaters, and immediately thought of Amy Trigg. But it actually occurred to me they could completely or almost completely cast it with wheelchair users.
I remember from Wait in the Wings video that injuries from people falling while roller skating was a problem certainly on Broadway, if they use wheelchair users that’s far less likely, these are people who are used to rolling instead of walking, they do it everyday.
I realise this is very unlikely, but a girl can dream, and if they did it I would actually pay money to see an Andrew Lloyd Webber production.
I really want them to go back to the original music though, the most recent production has made some pretty jarring cuts and I feel some of the fun has been sucked out of it. Bring back the 80s synth cheese!
chopping up the overture like that should be considered a crime.
Agreed
Other than the 80s production of the original album is by far the best version
They should totally lean into the original music styles and go as 80s as possible!
Starlight Express was the one show I saw over 30 times in NYC (when I lived there) in the 80s. I also auditioned for the B'way cast and made it to the 'backup file', but that's as far as it got... Glad to see it will back next year. Makes me want to travel to London again!
kinda crazy how "Wicked" ended up playing at the theatres "Starlight Express" occupied in *BOTH* London and New York. and what *PERFECT* timing for this new production since 2024 is Starliight Express' 40th anniversary.
YES please do an explainer video. I saw this with my family on a Summer trip to London as a kid, and my siblings and I thought it was HILARIOUS, but I'm sure all the sexy train innuendo went over our heads.
Starlight express is one of the shows i listened to over and over in the car as a kid so im actually really excited by this! Im really interested to see what they do with a new version and what songs/characters get used ::cough:: bring back CB ::cough::
CB PLEASE GOD YES
Yes the original West End cast was very ahead of its time with multi POC casting: Rusty, Electra, Belle and Poppa. I saw it in summer of 87 twice. Absolutely loved the sheer spectacle. Nothing has ever matched it for me to this day for that type of fun joy. Saw the tour years later in Bristol with young son in tow and was a shadow of its former self but did discover the wonderful singing voice of James Gillan. Would love to see a return to original material though. The Rap was a lot of fun, start of Act 2.
I'm so glad this underrated show is getting the revival it deserves!!!
I wish I could've seen the 1984 version, I still have the cast album "Starlight Express" by Ray Shell and "He Whistled at Me" are two of my favorite songs
As a former Starlighter from the Vegas company!!! I’m so excited about this and plan to see the revival!!! You should see the German production!! Reva Rice is playing Momma!!!
My mother and grandparents saw the Vegas production back in the 90s and loved it!
I saw it in Las Vegas Christmas 1993
I'm legitimately jealous and need this production to work out and come to Broadway!! I grew up listening to ALW compilation albums and they would always try to sneak in a song or two from a lesser known/popular musical, so I've heard some of the music, but never saw the musical. I watched Brendan's video and it was fascinating! I had no idea Jane Krakowski was in it or that it was such an injury-inducing machine.
I’m not looking forward to all the changes. I prefer the 1992 rewrites. I’m not a fan of the recent updates with “I Got Me” and Momma replacing Poppa. I understand the need to elevate the female characters to be more than just carriages but I think “A Lotta Locomotion” could still be used with a few lyric tweaks. The new songs that have taken that spot are never as good. I’m curious to see what the new creative team has in store, but I think it might be a mistake not use the iconic original costume designs by John Napier. His scenery design changed with every new production but the costumes gave the show its identity and ultimately I think it could end up being a mistake to give audiences something entirely new when there’s probably a large portion of ticket buyers who will be seeking nostalgia.
Were it someone other than Gabriella Slade I'd be inclined to agree with you - but the work she's done for "Six" is so strong, and already has a passing resemblance to Starlight in the strong structural design. I'm hoping she can take some inspiration from John Napier's original concepts (such as engine helmets, coach legs, electric blue Electra...) and put a modern twist on the characters, giving us something iconic, distinctive, and contemporary. It's a really tall order but I think she's the person for the job!
I definitely agree, would love to see a return of the original "Lotta Locomotion". Sure there's double entendre in there, but it's also far more empowering the characters as individuals than either "I need a big, hot, throbbing engine!" or "I don't need no man telling me what to do!" - I want to be introduced to these female characters as characters in their own right!
I saw an email this morning for the show being announced and audibly said what the f***. Never in my life time did I think this show would return to the uk especially for its reputation it has. I can't wait to see this show its always been I show I wanted to see but never had a chance to. Hope the cast are ready for what they signed up for😂
This was my first ever West End show so I'm nervous and excited in equal measure. Hope it lives up to what I remember from the original.
Hi Mickey Jo, I'm really really hyped for this! I worked on the original London production at the Apollo Victoria as a member of the stage crew/automation (Bridge Operator) from October 1986 until after it closed on January 2002, having done the shows 'get out' also! it's been long overdue for a return to London. Next year being the original production's 40th Anniversary, so a good excuse to come back. I think the Wembley Park theatre will be a great venue for it! certainly large enough to house an immersive production of wonderful show. ps: love your channel btw! Best wishes, Mark.x
I never thought anything new for Starlight express would happen outside of bochum, but I'm not complaining
FUN FACT - Jane Krakowski was Dinah in original broadway cast
omg really?
@@anne_bckmnn yep - i knew she was in it, but totally googled which role haha
I’m pretty sure it was one of if not her first broadway role
@@mysteriouscolours1532 100% correct
I love your casual expertise in this(my lifelong favourite) musical. Not many people remember that Yazbek wrote all that material for the 2003 US tour, especially since almost all of it was almost immediately scrubbed right back out again. And thank you, it's all a kid's dream! It's the same concept as _The Nutcracker!_ They're not _real_ trains! It's depressing how often people don't realise that when they start slagging it off.
I am crossing my fingers _so hard_ for this. It has the potential to be brilliant, but I am made very nervous by the sorts of misfired changes they've attempted in recent years...
I loved this show so much in London, it was a hugely formative part of my adolescence. £7.50 standing ticket, anyone? Which went up to £8 by the end, what a rip off.
I can go off on one about Whole Lotta - it's legacy of the Las Vegas production costumes. _Starlight Express_ was the first full musical to be put on in Las Vegas, and it had to adapt a bit to its surroundings - the Coaches got showgirl style costumes to compete with their surroundings, but performed the same, family friendly, material that they had on Broadway. Then several years later the Las Vegas costumes were excavated from the bog they'd been stored in after they'd been kicked out of the Hilton early by the Star Trek Experience and reused for the 2003 tour, and the material was altered to fit the costumes. Including cementing them in the visuals by filming them for the races, so they couldn't be changed. This resulted in something really not family friendly at all, and it wasn't until the 2017 workshop production that it got ditched. Who knows how differently things might have gone if the costumes from the Japan/Australia tour hadn't disappeared, possibly immolated in a warehouse fire?
"I Got Me" is such a great song, it's a fantastic reworking of "Rolling Stock: Reprise". Bit of a shame it's put in as the Coaches' introduction song, really, long before they reach the point in their character arcs where it's appropriate.
I literally wrote a dissertation about this.
And "Starlight Auditorium", eh? Well, "Starlighthalle" has worked perfectly well for 35 years, so why not?
I love this show, went to see it on the orignal run in 1984 at the age of 11 and it was one of the shows that got me interested in doing theatre. I just hope ALW can bring Jeffrey Daniel (Electra) onto the creative team as he is still very active as a choreographer and of course performing with Shalamar :D
I saw it in London at the Apollo around 1995(?) and loved it and then saw the tour in the US (Atlanta) years later and it was dreadful. At the Apollo we had gotten front row balcony seats without realising the track was up there - it was super fun and the actors really went for it with interacting with the audience. On the US tour, the videos dominated the production and it felt really dated. It’s also a harder show to sell the energy for in a large theatre, I think. I’d love to see one or several wheel chair users cast! That would be totally brilliant.
I saw Starlight Express as my first ever West End Show around the age of 4 and it has stuck with me ever since. I really hope I can make the journey to London next year for this. I don't think I'd forgive myself if I don't
I'm excited but scared by all the new names and "big, new plot twist"... The show's been changed so many times already and it's rarely been for the better. Still gonna make my way over to see it!
Yes, definitely go see the German production!
FYI, "King Charles" was called The Prince of Wales
I worked at at 2 month arena tour of this in New Zealand
That was around an anniversary. And the line “there is a light at the end of the tunnel” still sends shivers down my spine .
I'm no scientist but I am autistic and had a train fixation at one point.
Steam is the least en environmentally friendly, even if it is the coolest looking. Diesel is slightly better and then electric are better than them but then Mag trains or Magnetic levitation trains are the most environmentally friendly and in lab tests are the fastest but they've not been implement wide enough to see if they truely are faster than electric. Steam is literally the worst in every way bar looks.
I saw the original over 700 times...as i worked FOH at the theatre. I worked there on closing night which was something special. Im so excited to be able to take my 7 year old nephew next year to see this.
Call me pedantic, but, the story is about TOY trains... a small child falls asleep and dreams of his trains acting out this crazy race night. It's all a child's dream, much like The Nutcracker. They're trying so hard to make the show less mysogynistic. comic sans, gold star you tried. The Japanese train used to be Hashamoto... the British train was originally City of Milton Keynes! Not a joke most Americans would get, so he became "Prince of Wales".
If I remember correctly, Bio-fuel Steam engines would, actually, have the benefits of both diesel and electricity. There's some science there!
I have an issue with ALW claiming Starlight was the first immersive musical - while yes, it was, back in 1984 - so was Cats in 1981!
The German show has moving seats - they're like office chairs that spin around, very helpful when they're racing all around behind you.
Arlene Phillips is so deeply involved with all productions of the show, it's really her baby!
Personally as a long-time fan, I've been incredibly frustrated by the good intentions and poor story telling that has come from the attempts to modernise the show. The current production is so convoluted and unclear - "I got me, and that's all I need" - what are the girls angry about? being pushed about by the engines, or pushed about by men? Now there's female engines it's not the same thing. Why do all the female characters come together when they have nothing in common except their gender? why is the Caboose obsessed with money? what does a train car spend money on?
Sure, just shut off your brain and enjoy the speedy skating and loud bass, but it could be more. I'm optimistic that a new creative team might be able to patch up some of the massive plot holes!
Not me getting annoyed when people don't get it's about a Train set hence all the kid bits!
Travellin' with Gravel in
I used to work backstage during the 85-87 cast, have the most wonderful memories. I still never got to hear Only He in its entirety, I wish they would bring the album version back.i am so excited!
I’m excited for the return of Starlight Express. It all started out for me as just another show. We were doing this in my previous school. I played the role of Poppa McCoy. I had no idea I would be attached to a show about humanoid trains. It’s like Thomas the Tank Engine but ten times better. After we did our show, I wanted to jump about to the music. That’s when I would discover there is more to the show and it’s revision history. I began to learn more about Starlight Express and see the songs in a different way. It was disappointing that the show was only on in Bochum but I’m very happy to know it’s coming back to London. When the day comes, I’ll be one of the happiest people alive.
Big W for Andrew Lloyd Webber for bringing this play back to the UK!
This show was my entire childhood. We listened to it (along with Joseph and Cats) in the car every day going to school (I went to school a half hour drive away) and seeing the 2012 tour was one of the most magical experiences as a child. For years since I rediscovered my love of theatre I’ve been wanting to see this show again and it’s finally going to happen!
Just got to the part of the video about ‘lotta locomotion’ and honestly devastated because that was one of my favourite songs. They also changed/cut 2 of my favourite songs from the original to one of the version (only He/only you)
Further update: I get it. And honestly those lyrics flew right over my head as a child and only in my adult years have I realised just how dirty they were. But I feel like that was almost part of the point is that the kids saw the train side of it (warm you from inside, hot food as you eat it) where as adults see the other meaning of it.
The way I GASPED seeing the title of this video! Will this be the impetus for my first London visit ever??? 😅
ETS: I feel like the train "science" is little-kid-playing-trains science, which makes it easier to suspend disbelief. (Is the narrator still a child even? I'm such a fan of the original cast recording, I can't keep up with it all.) And I totally agree about the adaptive casting possibilities. Excited to follow developments! Thank you for sharing!
Starlight express is honestly my favourite musical and I’m over the moon that it’s coming back. I was so lucky that I got to see it in the west end a few times when I was very young but the memories are imprinted in my mind, so this is so exciting for me! I just wanted to say I LOVE your idea of an wheelchair user being in the show, it would be so amazing to see something like that!
Can someone explain something to me: I know locomotion the original song changed but why are there so many German recordings of this exact song sung in the original format from recordings that don't look too many years old?! I know the song changed but did they just perform that song on TV or something. It's always confused me.
Whole Lotta Locomotion was inserted into the German production in 2013, so the performances you saw which you said weren't very old, were likely from 2011 or 2012.
I saw the one in London in like 2000/01 and it was amazing, sitting in the stalls with them skating past you! The touring version with 3D glasses just couldn't live up to it.
OMG I got the email and was so happy!!! I love the Original London Cast soundtrack (to the point where I know it by heart) so am incredibly excited to see this new production!!!
Seeing Starlight in Bochum as a seven year old is one of my favorite childhood memories. Especially since it's a musical, which my mother was very passionate about and had seen four times since the late 80s.
Just this summer I revisited it with two of my friends. And I was very skeptical. I loved the show as a kid, but now I knew that it is very camp, very extra and honestly doesn't have that much substance. But let me tell ya: Nostalgia is one hell of a drug. My body reacted instantly as the overture hit and I was seven years old again. I can't help but love this show and its wild wacky story.
I feel like in some aspects the Bochum version has gotten even crazier over the years. I was stunned at some of the recent changes. The show has really improved. It's definitely worth watching!
Does it deserve to be running even longer than Phantom on Broadway? Probably not, but it's iconic.
I also feel like it has somewhat negatively influenced the Germans' views on musicals. For example we had an amazing production of Hamilton and it only made it a year. But that's a whole another can of worms.
Anyway, have fun with this crazy train show! :D
PS: There are also some rotating chairs in Germany. I'm curious to see if there will be actual moving chairs in the UK.
PPS: Now I can't get the idea of wheelchair Rusty out of my head, also I'm not sure how safe that would be at those speeds XD
So the Apollo Victoria now has Wicked playing, and didn’t Starlight Express open on Broadway at the Gershwin, where Wicked is now playing? Coincidence? 🤔😂🚂🧙♀️💚
And yes, I realize both shows need large theaters, but still 🤷🏼♀️
🚂 Yes, please. Please dress as a train, and explain.
And entertain...
I have a theory on the plot twist, and how they can claim Steam power is best. Typically steam engines are powered by coal, or wood. Neither being great for the environment. But some people are now creating steam power by burning waste from farming, and even garbage. That's much better for the environment, when compared against Electric and Diesel. and it would be in keeping with the updating of the show to stay current and appeal to younger, more environmentally conscious audience.
So Rusty finds a new super fuel to help him win? That could work
I love the super fuel idea, that would be a creative way to update it
I saw Starlight Express back in the 80’s when I was a little kid. All the sexual stuff went way over my head, but I loved it so much I was constantly singing The Locomotion on the playground in primary school.
As someone who watched it twice in Bochum. Lower your expectations 😕 the story is mediocre even if you consider the fact that this show is mostly for kids...
I can't tell whether you're saying the new production isn't as good as it used to be, or if you're not aware that loads of people love this show even though it's the most naff production ever
@@onemanfranit was never good to begin with. And it's just sad that people are going to see this for the spectacle (which is of course impressive). Instead of heartfelt music and an interesting story. It's for kids and old school ALW stans
Starlight express isnt a good musical. What it is is a fun night out and I love it.
I love it because it's pure bright neon coloured campy cheesy naff fun that brings a smile to your face. Not everything has to be serious. And that's fine if it's not your thing but I am glad shows like this exist, because they are joyous.
No one is saying it's Chekhov. Trevor Nunn admitted it had the intellectual content of peanut. What it is, is alot of fun, a superb intro musical and for alot of theatre kids a very special memory
I saw the original production in London and loved it. Having the actors skate by you in the dress circle was thrilling. I was also obsessed by the cd! So glad it’s coming back!
I screamed when I received the email this morning - SO excited to see this production!
In terms of moving seats - I saw the Bochum production a few years ago and there was a section of seats near the front that swivelled 360 degrees so I wonder if it will be something similar for this version.
I’m kinda sad to hear no Lotta Locomotion. The original is the only song from this Starlight Express I’ve incorporated into my playlist
A video explaining the plot starlight express would be AMAZING
I saw Starlight on a choir trip to London (from Texas) my junior year in maybe 1999? I thought it was amazing! Also was obsessed with singing U.N.C.O.U.P.L.E.D.
Ah love starlight express .. back in the 80s /90s in London we used to pay £5 to stand at the back of the theatre and watch the show .. we used to do this most weekends .. cheap night out at a London theatre when you didn’t have much money …
“Immersive” to me isn’t just that that the actors move through the audience, it’s that they interact with the audience DURING the show (and not just saying “hi” as they pass)
I saw it live once. It is the oddest thing I've ever seen. 🤣
I wanted to take a minute and firstly address something you asked about/pondered in the video:
You inquired about the potential reality of converting main power sources of older locomotives and as someone who has done a fair amount mechanical maintenance on actual narrow gauge steam locomotives (i was one of many volunteers that helped with the last boiler restoration of the very Shay locomotive built that currently resides at the hesston steam museum in Indiana and have the pictures to prove it) and am very much into all things mechanical, i wanted to mention that nuclear power plants actually rely on steam technology!
A nuclear reactor is basically used to generate a substantial amount heat snd and then water is used to cool the reactor. In that process, the water is converted to steam which used to spin turbines that generate electricity.
In theory, the same technology could be used to push pistons that power the driver wheels of a locomotive.
To take the idea one step further, with the implementation of further design, the steam could potentially be redirected into a cooling system where it could condense back to water and therefore be reused as a renewable resource.
Additionally, in theory a diesel locomotive might be able to work in a similar manner as nuclear power plants do.
A diesel engine essentially operates by powering turbines which generate electricity and then send that electricity to traction motors which spin the wheels in the 'trucks' (usa terminology) of the locomotive....
There are a few locomotives starting to be produced in north America that actually are powered similarly, but by utilizing hydrogen as the main fuel source to generate the electricity to send to the locomotives traction motors, which is substantially cleaner than burning diesel fuel!
Perhaps there might be an underlying message in the new production about the benefits of using newer cleaner technology to rethink the older less environmentally friendly ways of the past!
Just throwing that out there.
Regardless, i hope the new version of the show will go back to the feel of the original london production which had a much darker/surreal tone than what the absolutely insipid extraordinarily dumbed down 93 production had to offer!
I really think the endless revisions of the show did it a major disservice.
And getting rid of CB took everything really "surprising"/intriguing/sophisticated about the plot and flushed it right down the toilet!
From my understanding, after the disney-fied production in London closed, subsequent productions have started to take a step or two back towards the darker toned original and hopefully this version will sprint the rest of the way!
I did see a college production a few years back that had quite an interesting twist (ehich eas supposedly also part of the south african production).
The caboose was given a teenage female persona and all her bad deeds arose out of her own rejection and desire to be accepted!
That version also physically showed control and he was kind of brat that seemed like Gomez Addams eanting a toy train demolition derby. The whole show had a roller derby theme/costuming and the only character that appeared as an anthropomorphic train was the starlight express (which wasn't performed by the momma/poppa role).
It was very interesting, entertaining, creative and the director who introduced the show had made a statement about he wasn't really sure what the licensing company had sent and that it was more of a jigsaw puzzle than a script w/ libretto. It had missing pieces, notes that didn't make sense and that he had to assemble and it almost looked as if he mistakenly received a work in progress revision
Oh... One more thing I wanted to mention was about how the seats supposedly move.
That immediately got the engineering (not train wise) and mechanical side of my brain fired up thinking about how that might play out. More specifically as to how they will move. Something immediately jumped into my mind when you mentioned that, but I was like, "nah! That's just the 80s kid in me wanting that early 80s darkness back in the show (a la those period family classics like labyrinth, neverending story, Tron, etc)! They wouldn't do that!"
But curiosity got the best of me and I saw the seat maps and noticed the giant wheel shaped circular performance area and thought "well... If the seats went up and down (which is the most logical possibility) and IF that college director was actually pulling stuff from those weird notes rather than his imagination AND they really wanna nod 80s pop culture, could the race track actually be focused on rising up from flat like a corkscrew (and an how an elevated trainset would be configured) as the seats go up and down reminiscent of the Thunderdome from Mad Max????" 😮😮😮😮"
That bratty kid who played control did have some similar crossover with the Tina Turner character! As he fell into his dream he ascended up into his train yard control tower to observe, narrate and pull switch levers above in a similar manner as to how she oversees and manipulates what happens in the Thunderdome!!!!
Well... Here's to hoping the return of darker more sophisticated family entertainment such lord of the rings, Harry Potter, hunger games, doctor who, mazerunner, etc have demonstrated that family entertainment with sophisticated writing, darker themes, less fluff and minimal cheesy one liners have much more to offer than all that gobbley gook nonsense that became a trend in the early 90s (such as the likes of Barney, Teletubbies, teenage mutant ninja turtles (the cheesy cartoon opposed to comic), etc....!
Oh gosh the Six costume designer doing costumes for Starlight Express. I didn't know I needed that, but I do
Grew up in Indiana and saw Starlight Express on my family’s first (and only) vacation to Europe. I remember we got very dressed up for the theater in London…and most people were dressed very casually which surprised us.
To this day I consider the Starlight Sequence one of the best songs ever written.
This is a welcome return! I saw the original London production in the 80s a couple times, the revised London production in the 90s, the Broadway production several times, the Las Vegas production, a couple US tours, and the ice skating arena tour!!
I'm 58 and I was going to Broadway when Starlight was there. I hated Cats ("a mighty spectacle about mighty little"). Starlight sounded like shear hell. I've seen clips...nothing has changed my opinion.
I loved Starlight Express when I saw it on Broadway thirty years ago
Oh my god hey, I saw Starlight Express when it was in London and loved it, then saw a touring version of it a decade later and did not like it, and I am so hyped for this production! I love this silly musical
I’m not a scientist but I have worked on steam railways for a large part of my life I can say that in terms of efficiency Steam is not better than Diesel or Electric, but the answer is more complex than that.
Cliff notes
Today the environmental impact of Steam Locomotives is negligible compared to most everything else in the world. There are maybe a few hundred operable steam locomotives across the globe and many of them only run a handful of times a year. The UK specifically has one of the largest amounts of steam railways in the world and they contribute to .2% or less of the nations carbon emissions annually. A heritage line in Switzerland did a study and concluded that it would take one of their steam engines operating 365 days a year for 5 years to equal the emissions of one transatlantic crossing of a 777. A railway in Arizona studied their steam locomotive vs. their diesel engines and the difference in emissions was negligible.
The overall carbon footprint of one steam locomotive is smaller than a typical motor vehicle because when operating they are capable of moving hundreds of people in one train with relatively small fuel consumption vs 4 to 5 people in one car.
Now if all the electrically powered trains in the world were suddenly changed to steam? Yeah that might not be a totally good thing.
There are many more factors like fuel type, operating practices, maintenance concerns, different sizes of engines but this is a channel for musicals so probably best to end it there. 😂
I saw the uk tour as a little kid, like 7 or so, and while it was good, my dad has always talked about the magic of the apollo run, he and I will be going to see if this can live up to it
I'm feeling old, cos I watched Starlight Express with Reva Rice as Pearl at the Victoria Palace theatre back in 1996
Pausing just to say that steam is created by burning coal, which is a fossil fuel so, no, definitely not environmentally friendly in the slightest 😂. It is absolutely the most romanticised, however.
Side note: Starlight Express was my second ever West End musical after I saw Joseph on my 11th birthday. I think we went in the summer of that same year, so it would have been 1992.
Also another thought - next time you get to WDW, if they start running the Magic Behind our Steam Trains tour again, it comes highly recommended by my dad! Walt had a huge love affair with steam trains (I'm sure you already know that!).
I don’t know what’s been the better announcement today starlight express or the second coming of the curves a chorus line
I loved this as a child. As a family we listened to the original soundtrack loads! I remember the “new” version which was possibly mid 90s, but haven’t kept up with any of the other changes. I’ve been listening to the original soundtrack again this week! I’m going to miss the original locomotion, but I get it…
I've always been an ALW fan, and I got to see Starlight Express while on a school trip to Germany. The other adults and I were the only ones that enjoyed it. Everyone else was like wtf is going on?
also, when I saw it the premise was the whole thing was a child's dream. so any plot holes or "why would they want to be converted to steam?" can just be explained away by "child's dream logic" :)
Surely CATS was the 1st immersive musical at Rge New London/Gillian Lynne theatre in 1981?
How can you talk about the different productions and sets of Starlight Express without any mentions of BOCHUM????
Ok you mentioned Germany a couple of times, but didn't explain the significance of why is Germany is important in this context
If you can visit it with an open mind, you might like the changes. I have seen 3 different versions in Germany up to date. Some changes where good, but my husband and I struggled to connect with the latest version, which is a pity to be honest. Just giving a hint: disco ball/glitter...
And about "ich bin ich"...it should translate to I am me...next line: and I am enough. (und mehr brauch ich nicht).
Yes. YES. We NEED you to dress up as a train and do an explainer video!
We will gladly give you Starlight Express (which has been running here for 35 years) in exchange for a new, better musical from London 😄
Kind regards from Germany! ❤️
No, seriously, if they build a theatre as elaborate as the one in Bochum, the show will certainly be gigantic. But otherwise the musical is not very good, in my opinion. Especially not after all the changes over the years 😬
Ich bin auch dafür, dass wir dafür ein neues Musical bekommen 😂
You are SUCH A LITTLE BOY sometimes! It’s joyous and endearing
First show I ever saw, probably around 1986 so I was super young. All I remember is pretty colours and roller skaters going weeeee around the theatre. I simply need to see it again.
Was just a toddler when this was first on in London. Saw the tour in Edinburgh when I was a teenager (with large screen and crappy cardboard red/blue 3d glasses), but have always wanted to see the full scale version and now, at last....
There's a light at the end of the tunnel!
... Will be in London at the end of June for the baseball, so yeah, down a day early for starlight is defo on!!!
You teased in your Birthday livestream that you had an idea for a "Dress-up and Drink While Explaining the Plot of a Musical" video for Starlight Express that was scrapped... and I'm just here to remind you and say YES!! PLEASE DRESS LIKE A TRAIN AND GET SMASHED WHILE EXPLAINING THE PLOT OF STARLIGHT EXPRESS!! 😂😂
Not only do I still want that video, but I would love a new "series" where you do that! Honestly, you could easily dedicate an entire series to explaining the plot of ALW musicals while dressed as a character and imbibing copious amounts of alcohol because the plots of his musicals are so bonkers, one would need to be a little inebriated to understand (or discuss) them!
And I'm not *just* saying that because I would love to see you in drag as Patti Lupone's Evita and Patti's Norma Desmond.... but it is a big factor for me! 😂
Starlight Express was the first musical I EVER saw - my Dad took me when i was 4 years old in 1996 and we sat in the back row of the inner ring right (that they skate round) at the front of the Apollo Victoria and it is one of my happiest memories of my childhood. When the barriers lifted up before the races i literally almost died of excitement.
Fast forward almost thirty years and I now have a (train obsessed!) 4 year old of my own and I am so, so, SO excited to take him to see it next year with my dad (his Grandpa) 🥹🥹🥹
is it bad that when I heard of this, I thought maybe ALW is trying to make a comeback after Bad Cinders? With Sunset BLVD and now starlight express... makes me wonder even more...
I'd like to see Ali Stroker, who was Ado Annie in the 2019 Broadway revival of Oklahoma as Dinah!
Oh my god. I was watching the MegaMix yesterday (from the German production), and I was saying how much I wanted to see it again (it's been 30+ years since I last saw it in the West End at the Apollo). I still knew all the words to the MegaMix! I love it, it's one of my favourite ALW musicals.
It was my 40th on Sunday (I already felt old before realising how long ago it was that I saw Starlight) and my friends said they would take me to a show of my choice and they would all come with me. I'm about to start Radiotherapy and one of my friends is about to have a baby so it was most likely going to be next summer - this could not be more perfectly timed! Might have to go twice and also take my 8 yr old nephew who loves trains.
Wheelchair users would be great for this. Wheelchairs used in sports like basketball, rugby or tennis (the only ones I've watched) are _very_ manoeuvrable!
Ohhh I saw the ice skates version when I was a kid, and I used to jam out to the US soundtrack before my practices. I cannot wait to hear the new songs!
In my mega deep dive into this after it was announced. Turns out. The Russian train has been changed to a French train. They are the only female international train. I do think the changes of pop to mom and the new French train will be interesting to see
The phrase 'female trains' made me laugh, this whole show is just such a fun and strange concept. I'm so excited for this, I really hope I get to see it!!
My immediate first thought about it being the first "truly immersive" show was that everyone was going to wear rental skates in the audience. Obviously not going to happen for a multitude of safety and legal reasons after naught point zero seconds of further thought, but man would it have made for a wild Wait in the Wings documentary video in a few years if so.
Saw this so many times in London and started taking my daughter when she was 4. We were at the last ever performance - not a dry eye in the house. She’s planning to revisit this new show, sadly I’m just too disabled now but I’m excited to hear all about it
First saw this when I was 11 at the Apollo and have been hooked ever since
That was in 1989🤯
15:08 The moving seats remind me a lot of the Dutch musical “Soldaat van Oranje”(Soldier of Orange)
It’s been the longest running musical(since 2010) in the Netherlands and an English adaption was in the works a few years ago.
Here the theatre was previously and old airplane hangar, and I believe they were planning to build something similar at London Airport. But there have been no more big updates since 2020(you can probably guess why…)
The immersive staging and theatre is definitely the main reason why the musical keeps being renewed(it’s become a meme at this point, even if the world would end they still won’t cancel it)
MickeyJo you are fantastic and hysterical. The British train was called 'The Prince of Wales' (not the 'King Charles!'). I reckon there's a great opportunity to cast a trans actor as Electra (and potentially all of their trucks too!)
I get the strangest feeling that the quote "Sexy train lyrics are out, train feminism is in" is going to be a hauntingly accurate summary of this revival xD
The only Starlight Express album I can listen to all the way through is 'Music & Songs from Starlight Express' with El DeBarge, Peter Hewlett, Josie Aiello, Marc Cohn, Richie Havens, Earl Jordan, and Harold Faltermeyer. Blasphemy? Probably. But it's actually listenable.
I really hope greaseball is Rob Fowler from bat out of hell the musical as he has done starlight express when he was younger in Germany at brochom
There were SO many weekly injuries in that show. Hope they can sort that out.
I'd love to see the Chris Harding who played Rusty in the last touring production play Rusty again. He has a really nice voice and he really played the underdog roll well.
Gareth also did the sound for the recent Starlight Express Bochum update.
Yes! We need the explainer video!
12 year old me saw the Broadway production in the 80s. I loved it. I have other taste now, although I do have much nostalgia for the soundtrack.
I remember going on date to see it standing tickets, great show shame about the bloke who took me to see 😂😂😂😂
I saw it over 20 years ago and it was a shocker.' Only He' being the only highlight.
Was not expecting a family guy reference in my mickey jo theater cold open
I saw it when it first came to the london westend when i was 9yrs old can't wait to see it again but a little worried it will have changed to much. I would love to see the amazing glenn adamson in it as either electra or greaseball he was fantastic as strat in bat out of hell and has just finished in we will rock you
I saw it on a trip to the UK in…1987? I think I was 15. Memory is a weird thing.
I can't express how happy I am. I have waited for so long. I craved a new version. When Bochum didnt get an update this year, I had a big feeling something like this would happen
I am STOKED for this revival. "Make Up My Heart" got me through some tough times, let me tell you hahaha It's so nice to see you be eagerly enthusiastic about it too! Now I have to go rewatch @waitinthewings documentary again...