Starlight Express is coming to London
Posted on 19 September 2023
Starlight Express is rolling back to London in summer 2024! Three abandoned projects (including the book series that created Thomas the Tank Engine) later and Starlight Express was born. In spite of finding its beginnings in failed endeavours, the story of an obsolete steam engine named Rusty and his conquest to win the championships, and the heart of Pearl (a first-class observation car), has become the one of the longest running shows in the West End. It has also become Germany’s most successful musical and even reaped a mighty Guinness World record.
Get your roller skates ready for the Starlight Express revival at The Starlight Auditorium at London's Troubadour Wembley Park, a state-of-the-art cultural destination. Tickets are coming soon!
About Starlight Express and Starlight Express in London
Over 20 million people have seen Starlight Express and it is estimated to have grossed over $1.2 billion in sales worldwide. Debuting with a race track all the way around the auditorium on 27 March 1984, Starlight Express quickly became one of the longest-running musicals in London theatre history.
The show has ridden all over the world, from Japan, and Australia to the USA. A production in Bochum Germany which has been running for over 25 years and has been seen by an incredible fifteen million people. Two decades and 7,406 production later, Starlight Express eventually closed on 12 January 2002.
What happens in Starlight Express?
Starlight Express is an extraordinary theatrical production that transports audiences of all generations into a world filled with speed, music, and captivating storytelling. With a remarkable ensemble of 40 performers soaring and speeding around, the show features some of musical theatre's most cherished songs, including classics like AC/DC, Make Up My Heart, Light at the End of the Tunnel, and the iconic Starlight Express itself.
In this enchanting tale, a child's train set magically springs to life, and the engines engage in a thrilling race to claim the title of the world's fastest locomotive. Rusty, the steam train, initially seems unlikely to emerge victorious, but his determination is ignited when he discovers the inspiring legend of the Starlight Express.
Who are the creatives of Starlight Express?
With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Richard Stilgoe, the creative team for this new production is helmed by acclaimed director Luke Sheppard (&Juliet, The Little Big Things), set designer Tim Hatley (Back to the Future), video designer Andrzej Goulding (Life of Pi), costume designer Gabriella Slade (Six), lighting designer Howard Hudson (&Juliet) and sound designer Gareth Owen (MJ the Musical) with new orchestrations and musical supervision by Matthew Brind.
With thrilling new choreography by Ashley Nottingham (Pacific Overtures), Starlight Express also sees the return of Arlene Phillips as creative dramaturg.
Starlight Express is full steam ahead, tickets coming soon!
Get ready for Starlight Express to pull into the station! Keep your eyes on our website and news section for more information on Starlight Express tickets!
By Kevin Thomas
From as early as I can recall, writing has always been my passion. Being able to combine this with my love for theatre has been a rewarding and exhilarating experience. I truly believe that there is magic in seeing a story brought to life on stage, and this is what I would like to promote to audiences.