Jun 30, 20246 min read

Review: Starlight Express (Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre)

Review by Daz Gale

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A major revival of an Andrew Lloyd Webber classic rolls into London this week as a new production of Starlight Express completely transforms the Troubadour Wembley Park theatre in a way as it has never been seen before with the specially designed “Starlight auditorium”. Hot on the heels (well, skates) of the theatre’s last production, the acclaimed Newsies which wrapped up its run this year, would this latest production keep the high standard on track?

Starlight Express opened in the West End in 1984, where it played for 7,409 performances until it closed in 2002, making it the ninth longest-running West End show. It also enjoyed a run on Broadway as well as International productions and UK tours, but this production marks the first time it has returned to London since the original was decommissioned. I had never managed to catch the show before in any of its previous incarnations, so this visit marked my first time immersing myself in the Starlight world. As such, I am unable to compare it to past productions but maybe that will turn out to be a blessing. Start your engines as I unpack why this show took me by such surprise.

The plot (and I use that term loosely) of Starlight Express sees a child’s train set magically come to life with the engines embarking on a competitive race to become the fastest in the world. As we meet the variety of trains – Diesel and Electric among them, it is Rusty the steam train who forms the centrepiece of the show as we root for the underdog who chugs his way for hopeful victory. The most obvious show to compare this to is one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s other most popular musicals, Cats. Like that show, Starlight Express spends time introducing us to characters one by one with a loose narrative tying it together. However, while that feline show has never been a favourite of mine (and the less said about THAT movie, the better), I had the complete opposite reaction to this.

While there is a noticeable absence of a book writer, Arlene Phillips has come on board as a creative dramaturg to tie the narrative together, working seamlessly with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s music and Richard Stilgoe’s lyrics. The result of the admittedly thin story is surprisingly cohesive and enthralling from start to finish. One of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most consistent scores with Stilgoe’s lyrics deceptively simple, playing into the childlike wonder of the piece, this production has added new numbers to the mix, making each production slightly fresher and invigorated from the last. From the early number ‘Rolling Stock’, the instantly catchy ‘Pumping Iron’ and the iconic ‘I Am The Starlight’, each number successfully manages to raise a smile and immerse you into the unbelievable world of these miraculous trains. Just when you think you’ve heard all of the show’s best songs, the glorious finale of ‘Light At The End Of The Tunnel’ takes all of the joy from the previous couple of hours and amplifies it.

The greatest aspect of this production of Starlight Express is in the production value itself. The Troubadour Theatre in Wembley Park saw a huge transformation for Newsies but however impressive that was, Starlight Express has well and truly upped the ante with a breathtakingly gorgeous and immersive renovation, which wows you from the moment you set foot into the elaborate and dizzying foyer. Tim Hatley’s design is a work of genius with a detailed approach, meticulously executed. With consideration about sightlines inside the theatre and the best way to watch the action, no matter where you sit, the result is a unique experience that is overwhelmingly impactful.

Starlight Express is a very visual show, and what a visual feast it is. Andrzej Goulding’s video design and animation provide a high production value with plenty of playful touches. Gabriella Slade’s costumes take the essence of these loved characters and bring them up to date with each having their distinct style. Howard Hudson’s lighting well and truly steals the show, impressing at every turn and continuing to surprise and thrill even when you think you have seen it all. Through the use of lasers, pulsing lights, and dramatic effects, the result is a beautiful aesthetic that is among the best uses of lighting I have seen in a long time, with one particularly breathtakingly beautiful sequence a testament to the transformative nature of theatre. While this space had been plagued with sound problems in the past, that isn’t the case with Gareth Owen’s sound design, ensuring the score is always heard crystal clear.

There is a lot that is right with this production of Starlight Express with no weak link among the creative elements. However, there are two people to single out for why this production is so phenomenally fantastic. The first of these is choreographer Ashley Nottingham who ensures each movement is performed with precision in increasingly complex feats. With a cast who are mostly on skates (aside from some on scooters), there are a lot of uncertainties at play here and the chance of it to go very wrong is very real. However, the execution of this is flawless, with exciting and inventive sequences throughout.

Luke Sheppard’s direction challenges the capabilities and preconceived notions of what theatre can do and smashes it out of the park. With a big and bold vision, his direction ties all of these flawless elements together to find the best way to tell the story, immersing the audience but not overdoing it in a truly remarkable feat that uses all of the available space in the theatre and relishes in having audiences see cast members surround them and skate past quicker than you can whistle. From the staging of the heart-racing races to the more tender and intimate moments, Sheppard does not put a foot wrong in this slick production, allowing for a perfectly paced show that pulses faster as it races towards its incredible climax rather than run out of steam.

While the creatives are all sensational in their own right, the cast manages to match these genius levels with their outstanding performances. Jeevan Braich makes his professional debut in the lead role of Rusty, wowing at every turn. With a commanding stage presence, he captivates throughout as the little engine that could endear him to the audience’s hearts. Jade Marvin marvels in her role as Momma, displaying some truly out-of-this-world vocals in a dominating force that makes her comparatively limited stage time all the more impactful.

Kayna Montecillo gives a sweet performance as Pearl, getting one of the biggest vocal performances of the night in standout ‘Make Up My Heart’. Another musical highlight came from Eve Humphrey as Dinah in ‘U.N.C.O.U.P.L.E.D’, delivering the best comedic performance of the show with a knack for how best to land the comedy of her lines. I could talk at length about every performer in this stunning cast who managed to shine both individually and collectively. You’ve heard of triple threats before, but add to the fact these talented singers, dancers, and actors need to skate flawlessly in this entire show, I’d say that makes them quadruple threats. A special mention has to go to the talented children rotating the role of Control, wonderfully played at this performance by Cristian Buttaci.

It may be said that this production is a case of style over substance, but when a show is as substantially stylish as this, it makes no difference. One of the best things theatre can provide is pure escapism, a place to forget the mundanities and problems of everyday life. Starlight Express does this better than most. From entering the theatre in Wembley, suddenly you are transported to a fantastical world that fills you with joy immediately. The spectacle of this production can only be described as spectacular, showcasing what theatre can achieve at its best and outdoing many of its West End counterparts in doing so. It’s safe to say I didn’t expect to love this production anywhere near as much as I ended up doing, but there is a charm and childlike innocence to it that I couldn’t help but fall for. It’s full steam ahead for this remarkable revival which has now entered the race for one of the best musicals of the year. Don’t be surprised if this outsider ends up defying all expectations and wins the whole thing!