Starlight Express

Starlight Express description

About Starlight Express

Starlight Express is making its glittering return to London's West End for 2024, on stage at its very own purpose-built space in Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre. There’s a new twist to the plot, new choreography and staging, and this is the first time the show’s been on the London stage since 2002, following an impressive run of eighteen years.

Lloyd Webber’s work is endlessly popular and this charming story about Rusty, an obsolete train who’s determined to impress the beautiful first class carriage Pearl by winning a race, never loses its appeal. Don’t miss the chance to see the thrilling new version of this beloved musical, where the entire story unfolds on rollerskates as the cast whizzes around and above the audience.

What's the story of Starlight Express?

Starlight Express is the ninth-longest-running West End show ever. It’s also the most successful musical in Germany, where it has been on stage constantly since 1988 in its own purpose built venue. This makes it the Guinness World Record holder for the most visitors to a musical in a single venue... ever.

This musical has a very long history. Way back in 1974, Lloyd Webber approached the author Reverend W. Audry about adapting his Thomas the Tank Engine stories into an animated TV series. It didn’t happen, but the train idea had been seeded. In 1981 things kicked off again, when Lloyd Webber asked lyricist Richard Stilgoe to help him revive the idea as a concert for schools, a sort of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat affair.

The first two tunes wowed audiences at the 1982 Sydmonton Festival, which inspired the director Trevor Nunn so much he offered to pitch in, adding more spectacle and extra magic. The three men gradually developed the plot then brought in the choreographer Arlene Phillips and designer John Napier, who suggested the rollerskates idea.

1983 saw the first act of the musical finally workshopped by Nunn and Phillips, with a cast including Tracey Ullman. It was a huge success, leading to the full-scale production that opened in London in March ’84. The rest is history, and this quirky plot is just as popular as ever.

Who is starring in Starlight Express?

The cast of 40 talented stars will be announced nearer the time. Grab some of the best theatre tickets for Starlight Express from us and seal the deal for 2024. The fun kicks off on 8th June 2024.

Who is on the Starlight Express creative team?

Luke Sheppard directs. The show’s original choreographer Arlene Phillips is creative dramaturg this time around. The choreographer Ashley Nottingham will create brand new choreography, and the set designer is Tim Hatley. The video designer is Andrzej Goulding, the costume designer is Gabriella Slade, the lighting designer is Howard Hudson, sound design is by Gareth Owen, and there are new orchestrations and musical supervision from Matthew Brind.

Find quality tickets for Starlight Express

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Playing at Troubadour Theatre - Wembley (venue info)