| Starlight Express is a rock musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber (music) and Richard Stilgoe (lyrics), with later revisions by Don Black (lyrics) and David Yazbek (music and lyrics for the 2nd US tour).It is perhaps best known for being performed by actors on roller skates.Background
2 Productions
2.Original London production, 1984
3.Original London production, 1984
4.Revisions in later productions
4.Lloyd Webber was interested in developing the idea of a musical about trains further, and conceived what he described as "a Cinderella story" in which Rusty stands for Cinderella, and Greaseball and Electra, the stepsisters.The Starlight Express itself fills the role of the fairy godmother.West End
The West End production, directed by Trevor Nunn and choreographed by Arlene Phillips opened on March 27, 1984 at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, where it ran for 7,406 performances.As of April 2007, it is the only permanent production playing.It has been seen by more than 11,000,000 people (visitor 11,111,111 watched the show in April 2006).In 2007 the Rap was altered again, adding the beginning of the UK Tour version, and the Rockies were replaced by the rapper Hip Hoppers.Pyrotechnical effects can be seen when Electra enters and Greaseball skates at high speed.The Starlighthalle was built especially for the production in an extraordinary time of less than one year.This production was the first legit musical theatre permanent production in Las Vegas, and concessions were made in the form of the shortened runtime and betting references in the race sequences.Also the Coaches' costumes were given an unmistakable "Vegas Showgirl" makeover.US tour
Following the closure of the London production, Starlight Express: The Third Dimension, a touring production opened in Biloxi, Mississippi.It was a downscaled and shortened version of the show, with further revisions to the material by American composer David Yazbek.UK tour
The UK Tour of Starlight Express opened on the 4th of December, 2004 in Manchester.Rusty, the steam train relegated to the sidings, enters, singing that nobody can do it like a steam train.Greaseball and his Gang intimidate him then leave, leaving him to sing his defiant Call me Rusty as he brings on the Coaches, dreaming of racing in the championship races and winning.Ashley is a smoking car, who has tried to "kick the habit" but can't, Buffy the buffet car offers snacks that are "hot, and cheap, and quick", Dinah is a dining car who'll cook for you, and provide a willing ear for your problems.Pearl is the "Brand new girl", who has agreed in the past to race with Rusty as his partner, but is now having reservations about his ability.Together with the coaches, they all sing Pumping Iron, another tribute to diesel's, and Greaseball's, greatness.Rusty brings on the freight train, which consists of the three Rockies, Flat Top, Dustin and C.After bickering with the Coaches, they introduce themselves with the song Freight.At the end of the number the national representatives of France, Italy, Germany, Russia, Japan and Great Britain arrive, and line up to take their partners for the first heat, but before they can do anything there is a surprise late entry.Now all the engines pair up with their racing partners, ready for the first heat.In her indecision over who to race with, Pearl leaves Rusty unconnected, then sings him the energetic He'll Whistle at me about the engine of her dreams, who is a steam train who whistles at her.She then goes off to race with Electra.Heat One sees Greaseball and Dinah cheat, bully and force their way ahead of Hashamoto and Espresso, racing with C.To persuade him that he can still race and win, that there is still hope, Poppa introduces Belle, the sleeping car.Utterly disheartened, Rusty returns to the junkyard where Poppa entreats him to trust in the Starlight Express.Rusty, however, does not believe in the Starlight Express.To prove his existence, Poppa announces that he is going to race.Rocky I was partnered to the City of Milton Keynes) and races.Unsure what to do, and not believing in its existence anyway, Rusty asks the Starlight Express for help with the song Starlight Express.The Uphill Final is a dead heat between Electra and Greaseball, with Rusty held back by C.B, who caused him to miss a vital connection and thus the rest of the race.Lamenting that this wasn't how she wanted things to go, she stays quiet.Rusty that he's no real engine, and never stood a chance in the first place.Finally hitting rock bottom, Rusty once more begs the Starlight Express to help him, and this time, in the Starlight Sequence, gets a surprising response.Not only will the Starlight Express help him win the final, Rusty is, himself, the Starlight Express.Suddenly he has a lot of faith.Dinah is fed up with racing.Pearl is alone, and sings the power ballad Only He.Finally she realises that it was always Rusty that she should have been with, and worries that it may be too late to repair all the damage she has unwittingly caused.Rusty appears and forgives her instantly, and together they sing Only You.Revisions in later productions
On Broadway the race structure changed from three heats with one winner each in the final, to two heats with two winners each in the final.The engines now raced for a prize, the Silver Dollar, rather than just for the sake of winning.The song Engine of Love was created, as now Rusty came on with the Coaches.There's Me became a duet between Caboose and Dinah.Rusty's predicament and now that he wasn't in one, was irrelevant.For the Downhill Final, Rusty appeared in a new costume as the Starlight Express.After the race, Caboose stole the Silver Dollar.This lead to a lengthy slapstick chase, at the conclusion of which was Caboose crashing into Greaseball and Electra.Only He was completely scrapped, replaced with an expanded Only You.Greaseball and Dinah, Espresso and Buffy, Hashamoto and C.Electra and Dinah, Rusty and C.There have also been three different raps:
Hey, you!Papa (Poppa), Dustin und die Rockies
2.Red Caboose, Joule, Krupp, Purse, Volta, Wrench, Eectra und Greaseball
3.The midnight train, a representation of God.Poppa, a retired champion Steamer.Buffy the Buffet Car, smart and sassy, hot and cheap and quick.Caboose, the caboose (brake truck).London production from 1992 onwards and is only a minor character in later revised English language versions.However, he is a major character in the German production.Volta, Electra's freezer truck.Slogans
Starlight Express has had many advertising slogans:
The Race Is On...External links and references
Starlight Express at The Internet Broadway Database
Pearl's Domain a source of cast lists, song lists and discography, covering all productions up to the second US Tour.Belle's Domain large database of pictures and some cast lists
Really Useful Group official website of the production company
Starlight Express official site of Starlight Express Bochum
Stacy's Musical Village Contains a full libretto for Bochum and London 1992.We provide a wide range of high performance cameras
for both amateur and professional imaging, at competitive prices.Richard Austin is in charge of production and test.The Office, Foxley Green Farm, Ascot Road, Holyport, Berks.Starlight Express skates around the UK.Make sure you don't miss the current Clear Channel production!Which former Spice Girl trained with the Starlight Skate school?Andrew Lloyd Webber originally wrote Starlight Express as a kind of fairy tale for his own children...No portion of this Web site may be reproduced, distributed, or posted.What have you come to The Really Useful site for today?The video has been added to your playlist.Thank you for flagging this video.Please refer to our Help Center for more information and the complete instructions.Oxford and it was just as magical!Only You, Starlight Express, and Light at the E...Only You, Starlight Express, and Light at the End of the Tunnel from Starlight Express.The code changes based on your selection.Lloyd Webber in 1973 as an animated television series loosely
based on The Little Engine That Could.Million British pounds when originally mounted in London in 1984.Starlight Express celebrated its 6000th
performance on August 12, 1998.The Broadway production opened
at the Gershwin Theatre on March 15, 1987 and ran for 761 performances.Nederlander and Gerald Oestreicher
Produced by Martin Starger and Lord Lew Grade; Produced in association with MCA Music Entertainment Group, Stage Promotions (Four), Ltd.Top, Krupp, Red Caboose, Weltschaft), Sean Grant (Rusty), D. |
