All abroad for a show of high thrill racing! Starlight Express launches full steam ahead into a whirlwind of breathing taking lighting, dazzling performances and unbelievably choreography!
Starlight Express is a 1984 musical, featuring an original score by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The show tells the story of Control, a young boy who is racing his toy trains. However, these trains come to life ready to race each other! We have Rusty, an old steam engine, who is up against modern locomotives (diesel and electric): all to impress a first-class observation car, Pearl. Now, the concept alone of this show is bizarre. In fact; it took a long time to develop as they could not get the story quite right. However, I’m pleased to say that the current version is fantastic!
This 2024 production was created in Troubadour Wembley Theatre, making into a full on race track. The actors are always skating around, jumping off the sides of edges and singing too! Not to mention all the amazing special effects, from fire to some amazing projections. Moreover, there is amazing lighting within the arena. When you first enter, you will get to see some of the laser lighting in action but it’s not until ‘Starlight Express’ that you see the full capability of the theatre. I also really like the story. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a bit ridiculous and the ending doesn’t make a whole lot of sense considering current ideas about trains, but it makes for a fun finale. I never thought seeing a steam engine fall in love would be so entertaining but I’m surprisingly wrong!
The ensemble, as mentioned previously, has a lot to do! They are all incredible and sound it too! I love the choreography which is very train-like… The supporting cast are also very good, singing some of the funnier songs such as ‘U.N.C.O.U.P.L.E.D’. The whole album is actually probably one of Webber’s best: giving fantastic ballads as well as upbeat songs. Olivia Ringrose played Greaseball and gave us a fabulous performance. Greaseball is so unlikeable but so cool at the same time: I hate to like her. ‘Pumping iron’ is also one of, if not, the best song in the show, which Ringrose did justice too! Asher Forth played Electra, giving us an electrifying performance. I’m not overly keen on their song, but they were very good throughout! The costume for Electra is the most flashy, so it was always a pleasure to see!
Jade Marvin played Momma, and her vocals were insane! She really was the heart of the show and gave some great dynamic relationships with the other cast members. I thoroughly enjoy her race (you have to be there). Sophie Naglik is an amazing Pearl. I love the girl power anthem which is ‘I Am Me’ and she nailed it. Not to mention, the choreography for her songs were the best! I felt for Naglik in each race as she is one of the most used racers but she nailed skating around the arena: making it look seamless. I also thought her relationship with Rusty was very adorable, making me root for their trainship.
Jeevan Braich won multiple awards for his acting as Rusty, at just 17 in 2024. He left the production earlier this year but due to cast injury, he has returned. He is unbelievable in this role, bring so much character to Rusty and making him such a relatable train. Not to mention his incredible voice. His parts within ‘I Do’ and ‘Starlight Express’ are very impressive, not to mention how fun ‘Crazy’ is. However, the stand out for me was Buzz Fletcher as Control. Control is such a sweet character as the whole show is made through his imagination, and Fletcher really solidified the performance of this character. From being sweet and kind, to being able to tell the trains off: he had it all. The way Control is constantly across the stage is incredible and makes me wonder what happens behind the screen. He is a star in the making and I hope he enjoys the show as he did amazingly!
I will definitely be making a second trip for race night! Starlight Express is playing at Troubadour Wembley Theatre, I would highly recommend watching it!
Max
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