22 August 2024 I 14:30 I Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, London
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As Andrew Lloyd Webber's Starlight Express makes a heavily anticipated return to UK shores, my excitement is only accelerated following the buzz from previous West End productions. My reaction changed a lot as the musical progressed, perhaps not an instant love with a thin plot and hefty design. Walking in with little prior knowledge, the experience can be overwhelming. However walking out, I feel nothing but euphoria. Each day that goes by following Luke Sheppard's adaptation, I find more and more appreciation for Starlight Express, honouring it for the unserious, sparkling extravaganza that it is. I can only dream of returning as soon as possible!
A child falls asleep with their toy trains, and race night looms as they magically come to life in dreams. Beloved yet weary steam engine Rusty has ambitions of being a championship racer but modern, slicker models with the powers of electricity and diesel threaten to overshadow his fantasy. Performed almost entirely on roller skates, this musical is staged within the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, transformed into a once-in-a-lifetime velodrome arena by Tim Hatley. The best part? Audiences can be right in the centre of the action!
Seated in a 'first-class carriage', the circular centre stage is to our front, with the majority of action occurring here. Though with tracks to the left, right and behind of us, full immersion is a true highlight of this experience. Skating at lightning speed a mere arm's length away, the surge of excitement allows the child inside to fall in love.
A minor technical issue delayed our matinee performance, though handled extremely professionally and swiftly. This only allowed me to appreciate the extra time spent in my favourite theatre foyer of all time! The atmosphere is unparalleled, I don't think I have ever had so much fun in this kind of environment! I won't detail the specifics, though this pre-auditorium experience enhances the event. The second I caught a glimpse inside the theatre doors, I had to stop myself from running in!
Making his professional lead debut at 17 years old, Jeevan Braich honours the role of Rusty with significant conviction, an adoring character marked by determination. Although Rusty's confidence is misplaced in the competition, Braich demonstrates immense prowess, nailing the entire performance and always a magnet for our attention. He certainly isn't shy in engaging audiences, really developing a warmth to the role. Mirroring Alexander Brooks' Control, I hugely admire this connection, and the ability of make-believe where a child's potential is endless.
There are an unbelievable amount of standouts within this cast, from Tom Pigram's wickedly eccentric mannerisms as Electra to Al Knott's punky, gender defying Greaseball. Though a lasting impression from Starlight Express is the intimacy shared with the cast, performers ensuring every audience member's visit is special through interaction. Facial expression is an essential feature of this, enhanced through Jackie Saundercock's makeup design, contouring to truly amplify the face with vibrancy!
The 'races' are an incredibly important feature to Starlight Express, where they mount to perilous tensions, even prompting an emotional reaction from myself toward final scenes. A large screen spans the upstage area, where Andrzej Goulding's video design maintains the interstellar theme beautifully. Even audiences have the chance to see themselves with live footage!
The tone of this show sees the trains attempt to outshine one another, reflected in competitive staging. It can be sensorially intense, though immensely suits the purpose of the plot. Howard Hudson's lighting is a terrific example of bringing the spectacle to existence. Bursts of haze shroud performers that 'crash', Electra's chosen partners enveloped in cages of light. There is a strong element of magic, where for audiences of any age, the technical multitude makes the experience unforgettable.
With the mesmerising speed of roller skating action, Ashley Nottingham's choreography skill is tight and energizing, discovering many unique styles in every area of the auditorium, stylishly glorious. Gabriella Slade knocks it out the park once again with angular and shining costume design, a clear and confident presence that defines everyone's characteristics from any distance.
With newly introduced earworms (primarily led by Jaydon Vijn's enthralling Hydra), Starlight Express is back and in prime form. All performers attended 'skate school'. Professional Skate Marshals do 360-degree somersaults with undeniable scooter skills. I could not imagine a stronger adaptation. I thoroughly recommend a trip to this musically playful show, and make sure to invest in a programme, packed with detailed interviews into the creative process!
Full cast, creative team and booking info: https://www.starlightexpresslondon.com/
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