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Post by sarissima on Jun 10, 2024 18:04:00 GMT
(Apologies all for the long posts - I shared cast / understudy info / track list in response to individual requests for info. If you go, buy a programme/official brochure - it really is one of the best I've bought in a long time.) Thank you so much! :-) |
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194 posts
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Post by lotster on Jun 10, 2024 18:47:41 GMT
Oooh, I loved "Next Time You Fall in Love"
I am always amazed (in all shows) that cast members can be covers for two or three other roles, as well as their usual track. I know it's what they train for (and live for) but I just think they are so talented. This cast are so young too and knowing you might get thrown on must be very exciting and nerve-wracking. I really do admire musical theatre performers.
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Post by danb on Jun 10, 2024 19:22:07 GMT
I’m sure they’ll appreciate the extra pay those covers will afford them!
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Post by singingbird on Jun 10, 2024 19:49:01 GMT
I know this is rather niche, but in case anyone's interested I just found an interview from 1984 with Rod Argent, where he says this about recording the Starlight OLC album: "In March I'm playing the first five weeks of Andrew Lloyd-Webber's new musical, 'Starlight Express', which is about trains and steam winning out over Diesel engines and all that sort of thing. It's a sort of Cinderella story all done on roller skates with the audience seated within the set, and we've got a lot of interesting artists taking part — Jeff Daniels from Shalamar, P.P. Arnold, Stephanie Lawrence and so on. There'll be three keyboard players with DX7's, Prophets and piano, and Barbara Thompson will play on the first five weeks with me. We've already spent two weeks on the backing tracks for the album version using a hired studio." So I guess that is him on piano, and it's Barbara Thompson doing those amazing, spooky sax solos. The interview also talks about him working on Variations and the Argentine Melody single. www.muzines.co.uk/articles/rod-argent/3319 |
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Post by bobbievanhusen on Jun 10, 2024 21:27:14 GMT
Overall I enjoyed this.
I was sat in Trackside2 row FF - the front row of the two rows on an upper level. You get up there by using stairs built into the wall of the set. Depending on where you are in the row, you might be viewing the main stage area from behind and i believe they are now saying some of them are restricted view.
The show was familiar, but different. Not all of it worked imo. By having a female Greaseball, still going out with Dinah, the have inadvertently made her a diesel dyke... From my seat it wasn't always clear who was singing or what was going on, and the races were difficult to follow, especially when they set off in different directions. I felt Momma singing 'Momma's Blues' brought the show to a grinding halt. A character called 'Slick' is basically a replacment for CB, but had none of the personality or singing skills of any CB's before her. I found 'I Do' and the finale megamix to go on for far too long.
However, overall i enjoyed it. Rusty has a nice voice and is very endearing and Dinah still gets one of the biggest cheers for UNCOUPLED. Electra's team of Wrench, Joule etc have these great silver inflatabile wing thigs that burst out of the costume, even if i have no idea what they actually were, the lighting and effects were first class and the skating of a good standard. I also really liked the marshalls on their scooters who did some great tricks, and thereby saving any main cast members having to put themselves at risk of injury. And there is also a great fake out in the overture at the start of the show, especially if you know the score well. Act 1 was 1hr 2mins, Act 2 was 50 minutes.
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Post by max on Jun 10, 2024 22:14:34 GMT
So many songs have been in and out over the years, I think there's enough material for a fantastical TV series using all of them - which could actually work.
For stage duration they can't all be in, but what's the dramatic point of the the gleefully malevolent self-reveal 'Wide Smile' if we haven't seen that wide smile applied earlier (as it used to be in 'There's Me'). The other way around, 'AC/DC' getting punctured later by a short-circuit bad-loser strop is an enoyable character journey (as it used to be with 'No Comeback'). Same with 'Right Place, Right Time' developing character. As they come from some of the stronger story situations I think they brought some of the best music and lyrics 'Starlight Express' has had. I'm sure it can still be enjoyable with Action and Pop Songs, but I hoped Luke Sheppard would push it the other way.
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Post by max on Jun 10, 2024 22:20:47 GMT
On the positive side - this feels like the best timing imaginable for 'Starlight Express' to be revived in the UK. A time of people saying 'I can switch and change my frequency', empowerment movements, eco awareness, and a musical theatre scene where young audiences are flocking to self-affirming shows - proudly, without the ironic take that's it's a 'guilty pleasure'. Even 5 years ago the conditions weren't as right as this.
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Post by greatauntedna on Jun 10, 2024 22:24:49 GMT
There’s no depth to this show at all, come on now!
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Post by bobbievanhusen on Jun 11, 2024 1:11:00 GMT
what's the dramatic point of the the gleefully malevolent self-reveal 'Wide Smile' if we haven't seen that wide smile applied earlier (as it used to be in 'There's Me'). PLOT TWIST! You think CB was faking his feelings for Dinah in There's Me? I love that idea, however I don't recall him using that 'wide smile' which was a kind of 'look at me i'm perfect, butter woudn't melt' kinda look, that he used for Rusty and everyone else in the races. I want CB to have a nice side, not be a complete, all out douche. Jesus... i can't believe i'm discussing or evening considering emotional points for a character in Starlight Express!! |
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Post by oxfordsimon on Jun 11, 2024 1:27:03 GMT
I'm old school on this.
I grew up on the OLC and all the changes to the score since then seemed to have weakened it for me. The book changes also failed to enhance my enjoyment
Full credit to them for creating a performance arena that allows for full physicality in terms of the races. Hopefully the speed or at least the sense of excitement will grow as their confidence increases.
I know the sound on phone videos can be poor but the vocals in that megamix are weak. I know it is the end of a demanding show and they are knackered. But don't do a megamix if you can't belt it out properly.
I think I shall just let this show just play in my head as I imagine it. I never did get to see the original production but the pictures in my head are probably better anyway.
New generations who don't know what a cassette is won't know or even care that this is a show that is a long way from how it was originally created. And that is absolutely fine.
Those of us who remember the 80s can choose to go with the flow, go and carp about how the changes just don't work, or - like me - just let it pass them by and enjoy their memories.
Change is inevitable. Theatre should never be trapped in the past. But not all change is good, though much can be.
I love the original score so will leave this be and let others enjoy it or not as the case may be.
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Post by usbuzzer on Jun 11, 2024 9:52:07 GMT
The show is now on TodayTix Rush!
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3,486 posts
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Post by ceebee on Jun 11, 2024 11:19:12 GMT
The show is now on TodayTix Rush! Additionally, there's some dynamic pricing going on. Some of the headline rates for seats for this show are frankly ridiculous prices having actually been in the auditorium, and I think pricing will settle down a little as people start to share views/comments. For example, some rear stalls seats are at £77. Possibly overpriced in my view based on feedback, but maybe is a price sweet-spot for people who feel the higher prices can't be justified. However.... I've just picked up some First Class Carriage seats for this weekend for almost half the typical price. Seats in front and behind are selling at £150 each. There are deals to be had, so keep your eyes peeled. Seat advice based on my experience last Sunday: > Front row trackside seats (any of them as all have a good view - even the ones nearest the rear ramp, which also benefit from a good "high five" position in the Finale). > Second row trackside seats also look pretty good but you'll need to be prepared to ask people in front not to lean on the bar - check this view some poor soul had recently seatplan.com/london/wembley-park-theatre/seating-plan/#s188685. > All First Class Carriage sections look excellent > Front row Platform seats look excellent for interaction and the whole Platform section looks like a great view > Front row Locomotive seats look excellent for interaction. The rest of Locomotive section I think looks fine but the immersive experience will probably dilute as you sit further away from the stage. Rear far side sections will probably have a restricted view at times. |
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Post by evilmat360 on Jun 11, 2024 11:22:26 GMT
The line for merch was TOO long… there was a website listed on a screen to get merchandise from but I didn’t take a note of it and I can’t find it… did anybody catch that? If you're still looking for it
Looks like it has everything except the brochure.
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Post by capybara on Jun 11, 2024 11:30:11 GMT
Does anyone have a phone number for KX Tickets?
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3,486 posts
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Post by ceebee on Jun 11, 2024 11:33:17 GMT
Does anyone have a phone number for KX Tickets? customers@kxtickets.com is what is provided in my contact email from them if it helps |
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Post by d'James on Jun 11, 2024 12:07:41 GMT
The line for merch was TOO long… there was a website listed on a screen to get merchandise from but I didn’t take a note of it and I can’t find it… did anybody catch that? If you're still looking for it
Looks like it has everything except the brochure.
No matter what device I use, it tells me connection is not secure. Anyone else having this problem? |
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Post by Dr Tom on Jun 11, 2024 12:24:18 GMT
The show is now on TodayTix Rush! It has been since the first show. And TodayTix has closed to completely unusable levels each day at 10am when Starlight Express has had a show. I don't think the odds of getting Rush tickets are very good at present. |
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Post by solangelafitte on Jun 11, 2024 12:30:26 GMT
If you're still looking for it
Looks like it has everything except the brochure.
No matter what device I use, it tells me connection is not secure. Anyone else having this problem? Have tried it on both Chrome and Safari and getting the same thing. |
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Post by dan on Jun 11, 2024 12:47:23 GMT
The line for merch was TOO long… there was a website listed on a screen to get merchandise from but I didn’t take a note of it and I can’t find it… did anybody catch that? If you're still looking for it
Looks like it has everything except the brochure.
Super helpful, thank you  I think it’s currently quite an unstable site as I can’t load it and progress through… I’ll keep on trying! Thank you though. |
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Post by erik24601 on Jun 11, 2024 15:09:11 GMT
If you're still looking for it
Looks like it has everything except the brochure.
Super helpful, thank you I think it’s currently quite an unstable site as I can’t load it and progress through… I’ll keep on trying! Thank you though. What is the Vinyl on there? Is that the original cast recording? There's no info whatsoever and I'd like to know what I'm purchasing before I spend £39!!!!! Any idea? |
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Post by PineappleForYou on Jun 11, 2024 15:29:41 GMT
Super helpful, thank you I think it’s currently quite an unstable site as I can’t load it and progress through… I’ll keep on trying! Thank you though. What is the Vinyl on there? Is that the original cast recording? There's no info whatsoever and I'd like to know what I'm purchasing before I spend £39!!!!! Any idea? It is the 40th Anniversary vinyl. lwtheatres.co.uk/pre-order-your-limited-edition-starlight-express-vinyl/ |
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Post by d'James on Jun 11, 2024 15:46:36 GMT
Super helpful, thank you I think it’s currently quite an unstable site as I can’t load it and progress through… I’ll keep on trying! Thank you though. What is the Vinyl on there? Is that the original cast recording? There's no info whatsoever and I'd like to know what I'm purchasing before I spend £39!!!!! Any idea? It's 'highlights' of the Original London Cast, plus Crazy from the 1992 Cast. |
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Post by erik24601 on Jun 11, 2024 16:30:36 GMT
I thought I would give the official show store a go but you're right, it's buggie as hell. Doesn't actually let you select a payment method. Ordering via HMV instead.
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4,214 posts
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Post by anthony40 on Jun 12, 2024 8:12:31 GMT
I wonder if, at some point down the line, if they plan (somehow) to do a pro-sheet of this?
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Post by kit66 on Jun 12, 2024 9:30:56 GMT
I wonder if, at some point down the line, if they plan (somehow) to do a pro-sheet of this? Perhaps when the show is " bedded" in! |
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