Starlight Express

Yes, for a proper production, but not a workshop.

I saw the show last night on the final night. Went in a bit sceptical due to the spoilers and the fact it was not on roller skates.

Wow, was I wrong. I left being totally blown away and buzzing. I've still got the new song "I Got Me" songwormed in my head.

The cast were absolutely fantastic and so so talented. Arlene's staging without skates was brilliant and proved it can still work without skates. It was done brilliantly and helped strip bare back the characterisation and story. The story has been better explained throughout and the relationships between the characters.

I was sceptical about replacing papa with mamma, but it worked. It was nice for Red Caboose to get a bigger role as the baddy and not only more lines with him doing dodgy deals with greaseball but the return of his song "wide smile". The only criticism here is the song refers to CB who was the communications car, and red caboose was the "brake truck". So that doesn't make much sense in its old form.

The score was brilliant. He's stripped it back to almost the original and updated it. David Yasbek's tinkering has been iradicated with the removal of "whole lotta locamotion" and his version of "the rap".

I love the new song "I got me" it's catchy, almost drum and bass feel with the rhythm and it stuck in my head.

I loved what he's done with "the rap". Accapella and most of the 1992 lyrics which explain the story more. It has a stomp feel with no orchestra just the performers using their feet for the rhythm, very clever.

Some lyric changes too. Starlight Express verses have changed and some of the lyrics to "I do" have changed to make more sense of Pearl regretting she messed Rusty around.

I actually like "I Do" which was introduced in 2012. Much prefer it to "next time you fall in love".

A new character "Tasita" which is the quiet car, although not introduced by name. Think he needs to think of a better name. I did like the reference to Bjork when she was shhhhhhhing the others a reference to its oh so quiet.

The prince of wales becomes Brexit which got a laugh. The return of Belle, but just as a side kick with the others no sub storyline or solo song.

The race scores were a return to the originals, but faster tempo and new bits.
The races, although weren't staged, we were warned about by Arlene at the beginning. These will obviously be staged in the next tour, rather than the lights just going out.

Question is will they re-film new race sequences or extend the stage out around the stalls for choreographed races like we are doing in Bournemouth. With the right venues, races could be staged around the stalls, although not on the scale of Apollo Victoria or Bochum, but still better than the dodgy 3D film which is now so old.

George Ure as Rusty was brilliant and by far the best Rusty I have seen out of all the 20 performances I have seen over the years. The characterisation was really good and showed his character as being a bit cheeky and lovable as well as his vulnerable side.

I would have suggested a TV show "I am the starlight" a search for a new Rusty, similar to JCS or Maria with the lord as a judge. This would put Starlight in the minds of people who have never seen or heard of the show before and would be good publicity with either a big tour of a wed end revival. But after last night we need George back as Rusty.

I am still buzzing and excited from last night. I wish I could see the workshop again. Still at least I am privileged to be able to perform it in 8 weeks with live races as Dustin.

Wow. Your third post and you're telling us what to do.  So who were you before you got banned?

I'm probably gonna get a strong telling off for this but if anyone got an audio of the show, especially from the last couple of nights, I'd appreciate if you could send it to me

There we are. Three times at least!!

What were the basic lyrics to I Got Me? 'I Got me, and that's all I need' or am I misremembering?!

And yet they still fawn over Greaseball and need another man to race with. It made no sense. If they wanted to make a real stand for womens right, why not have a female engine to race against Greaseball??

I'd rather they cut Rusty and Pearls love story and have CB as the main villain. Yes it would be a big overhaul but it would be more exciting.

I don't agree, but I can see where you're coming from.

Ooo another point, I hated that Electra character. The introduction song was long and wore thin very fast, I thought the styling of Liam was pretty dreadful too, and his eyes were watery the whole time, he looked like he had just come off a coke binge backstage. It was overly camp but not even in an entertaining way, and being a gay who loves some camp, this I didn't really care for it at all. He has a great voice though, so there you go.

I spent that whole number watchin Jamal give face, ass and body poppin' realness. At that point, that was the most entertaining part!

I really loved the guy playing Dusty, I just thought he was so cute and lovable! And I did some Instagram stalking earlier, and he is openly gay, so him and George should really just get together, they would be a fabulously cute couple!