Starlight Express

Summary of the musical Starlight Express:

Starlight Express follows the dream of a nine year old boy. In her dream, her toy trains come to life for a spectacular race across America. Competition between steam, electric and diesel engines is fierce. The machines come from France, Russia, Germany, Japan, etc.
Rusty, a little steam engine with a heart of gold, can she win the race?

All the actors are on rollerblades and the scenography always includes a large arena so that the performers can sing, dance and roll at the same time! The show is entirely sung and has been playing since 1988 in Bochum, Germany.

General information
  • Style : Entirely sung, Science-Fiction, Fantasy
  • Theme : Competition, Rollers
  • year of creation : 1984
Music
  • Composer : Andrew & Alistair Lloyd Webber
  • Lyricist : Richard Stilgoe, Don Black, David Yazbek, Nick Coler & Lauren Aquilina
  • Librettist :
  • famous songs : Rolling Stock", "Engine of Love", "Pumping Iron", "Freight", "Entry of the National Engines", "AC/DC", "Freight", "Make Up My Heart", "He'll Whistle at Me", "That Was Unfair", "Poppa's Blues", "Starlight Express", "Race", Boy, Boy, Boy", "The Rap", "UNCOUPLED", "Right Place, Right Time", "Next Time You Fall in Love", "One Rock & Roll Too Many", "Light at the End of the Tunnel". *The show has gone through many changes and no production includes the same songs*
  • Famous performers : Stephanie Lawrence, Frances Ruffelle, Jeff Shankley, Jeffrey Daniel, Ray Shell, Danny John Jules, Jeff Shankley, Danny Metcalfe, PP Arnold, Lon Satton, Kim Leeson, Beverley Kay, Jo Gibb, Helen Latham, James Gillan, Greg Ellis, Grant Anthony, Reva Rice, John Partridge, Richard Mylan, Natalie Powers, Mark Hedges.
kinships
  • Inspired by another work : The musical is inspired by "The Railway Series", a set of books about the railway system of the fictional island of Sodor.
Awards
  • Appointments and Awards : Although nominated in several categories, the show only won the Tony Award for Best Costume Design.
  • Number of years on display : 32
  • Number of performances : 12200
  • anecdotes : The entire musical is done on rollerblades and the scenography always includes an arena for the actors to rollerblade on (completely crazy). It is also the ninth longest-running show in the West End.
    The show has 8 different Cast Recordings, all different!
    In Bochum, Germany, the show is a huge hit: it has been playing there since 1988! It also holds the Guinness Record for the most attendances for a musical in one theatre.
Currently on stage