We take a look at what is being said about this revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 1984 musical….
Broadway World: **** “It’s not perfect; the story is wafer-thin, some lyrics are too childish (“Freight is great”) and the ‘love story’ between Rusty and Pearl is not given enough prominence to have much impact. However, it is so much fun that these issues matter little. As a theatrical experience, this will make a life-long impression on many young theatre-goers; a young boy sitting next to me was slack-jawed with wonder throughout the show.”
Variety: “What Sheppard provides is pizzazz. Wearing trackers that synch with the lighting, sound and video, the ever-exhilarated skaters zip winningly from set designer Tim Hatley’s circular central space up ramps, around, amid and through the auditorium. Troublingly though, the auditorium layout is such that it’s tricky to work out who is leading the races. Information is flashed up on video screens atop the acting space and on either side of the auditorium, but they are oddly small and don’t command attention and watching them means audience focus is often split. On the considerable plus side, the command of the eye-widening tech meshing sound, visuals and movement is dazzling.”
The Guardian: **** “Richard Stilgoe’s lyrics are ridiculous yet enjoyable (“freight is great”, sings one train, “I’m the hero of net zero,” sings another, the latter proof that the show has been updated to reflect our world) and the songs are superb, carrying the chug or hiss of trains and crossing genres from glam-rock to blues to hip-hop, country and musical ballad. They are masterfully sung all round, alongside the athletic feats of the cast.”
London Theatre 1: ***** “Whilst everything was amazing, some of my personal highlights include the arrival of Electra and their entourage which is a visual spectacle of amazing proportions, and Rusty’s song at the end of Act I, really tugs at the heartstrings as he expresses his loss of hope and faith. And, of course, the races. The track is not massive and watching eight people – trains and carriages – and the Marshalls racing around it safely and speedily is just fantastic.”
WhatsOnStage: *** “The cast work ridiculously hard on their skates to bring the contests to life, and the songs are expertly and enthusiastically delivered, but like everything under Luke Sheppard’s direction, the effect is broad brush rather than specific. The story is not this show’s selling point, but when everything is so insistent, it’s hard to work out what is going on; wit and lightness of touch are in short supply.”
Time Out: *** “‘Starlight Express’ is a lot of fun and has no aspirations to be anything other than exactly what it is. It is technically dazzling. It is a rare musical that’s perfect for rowdy tweens. There is truly nothing else like it – you simply cannot point to another musical about roller skating trains and say ‘I prefer that one’”
Theatre & Tonic: **** “The central pairing of steam train Rusty and observation car Pearl are played by Jeevan Braich and Kayna Montecillo, both of whom make their professional debut here. Their strong performances belie their lack of stage experience and – while the chemistry isn’t quite there and their romance frankly implausible – they stand out in an oversized nineteen-strong cast that are defined as much by their outerwear than anything else.”
The Stage: ***** “Visually stunning revival of the original 1980s concept musical.”
The Independent: **** “Andrew Lloyd Webber’s singing, roller-skating steam trains are back for a night of absolute maximalism. Yes, it’s more spectacle than sense – but your inner child (and actual children) will be delighted.”
The Reviews Hub: ***** “Director Luke Sheppard has assembled not so much a team as an army to put all this together. Original choreographer Arlene Phillips is back on board, credited as creative dramaturg, leaving it to new choreographer Ashley Nottingham to bring order to the hordes of skaters. Gabriella Slade’s imaginative costume designs dazzle when viewed under breathtaking lighting, designed by Howard Hudson.”
The Telegraph: ***** “Luke Sheppard’s bravura makeover of the 1984 rollerskating musical is out of this world.”
Jonathan Baz Reviews: **** “Technically state-of the-art, Starlight Express looks and sounds like the multi-million pound extravaganza that the producers and creatives have fashioned. The kids will love it!”
West End Best Friend: *** “A technically impressive feat, masking a somewhat flawed musical, but you are bound to leave with a smile on your face.”
Theatre Weekly: **** “It’s a little like a truncated Eurovision song contest, you might hear the odd decent tune, but really, you’re only watching for the camp costumes and surreal staging, and it’s that which makes you want to choo-choo-choose this magical experience for your theatrical bucket list.”
To find out more about the show visit: https://www.starlightexpresslondon.com/ . You can also book tickets by visiting: London Theatre Direct, London Box Office or LW Theatres.