Starlight Express

Cast are donning headset microphones, so the assumption is it will alot livelier than your usual concert workshop production.

I didn't even know she was involved, I haven't been following this thread at all. I didn't even know I was going to the show until a couple of days ago.

Where does I Got Me fit in? Is I Do where it was in the last tour?

As mentioned above, Andrew said that he didnt recognise the score that was being played in Bochum and that it was being played from memory and the score wasnt in sight. I bet heads rolled for that one! Arlene Phillip who staged the concert said that this was a new Starlight, reflecting how things have changed over the year and something about the role of women...

SPOLIERS AHEAD! Though as Andrew also said, this is very likely to change. I might miss bits out but here are my random thoughts on what i saw, also, I havent seen Starlight for many years so wasnt sure what was brand new.

It started with a a little boy (control) playing a game on his ipad in his room, mum tells him to go to bed. Overture played, which i really enjoyed. I must admit to getting chills during this, hearing the old score again, and the band sounded AMAZING all night, especially during the races! But then it was ruined by the little boy saying 'stop that stupid music' Didnt like that.... Intro to trains. Not sure what trains were new but the new British train was called Brexit. Its a cheap laugh and was also referenced later on. To me its not needed and will date the show pretty quick. Oliver Thompson was very good as Greaseball and sings Rolling Stock.

Rusty sings 'Crazy' along with the female carriages. The female carriages dont really get an individual introduction, so at first i was a bit confused and then they sing 'I Got Me' Where lotta Locomotion was. To me this song sounded like a poor rip off, of 'I Don't Care' by Icona Pop. I think it was about being independent and doing it for themselves or something... but the next minute they're all fawning over Greaseball and the other Locomotives and desperately trying to race with a man. It didnt make much sense.

Also, i got the impression that Rusty and Pearl were just old friends but when Pearl sings Make Up My Heart, she's singing about how 2 lovers should be twice the fun... confused.

Electra was good, but Liam Tamne was wearing the ugliest red high heeled shoes. ACDC was the same, but he seemed upstaged by a member of the ensemble, who actually stood out all night - Jamal Andreas. What a great performer. He has some sassy, fierce moved during ACDC and has great comedy as well. And he's very easy on the eye.

Mica Paris is playing Momma, but singing songs in what seem like the same keys as Poppa was singing them. Its very low. I wasnt sure if she was having vocal issues or not... She sang a version of Poppas Blues.

Yikes. I wasnt going to write this much.... other songs included Freight, Starlight Express, UNCOUPLED, I Am The Starlight, One Rock and Roll Too Many, and also CB. CB seemed to have very little to do at the beginning, but then just came in to spoil the races. Why? Money? He seemed to be the villain, but the character needs more prominence to succeeed.

Its only Pearl and Dinah that get solos, the other two were nameless and sing back up.

Then we come to the song 'I Do' UGH.... what a terrible, mawkish song. When was this brought in?? Its a weak tune, terrible lyrics and doesnt go anywhere. And then it's reprised. Considering its place in the show, it doesnt work at all and didnt get the response the 11 o'clock number should.

It finished with Light At The End Of The Tunnel, with clap along and stand up finale. I HATE forced audience patricipation!

Overall i really enjoyed it alot. It was great to hear the songs again. Its never meant to be Shakespeare, or Ibsen, but more focus on the story would be nice.

I'll shut up now, i've gone on WAY too long!

Oh and Trevor Nunn was also there, along with other men who sounded like they producde in numerous eupean countries. Yes i was evesdropping

It was said that they just need to find the right space for the show. I wish i was going again at the end of the week to see what changes have been made.

Thanks for the first report! Doesn't sound like the big overhaul that was first suggested.

"I got me" is "Nie genug" presumably? It replaced "A lotta locomotion" in Germany a few years ago and nobody likes it. Ditto "I do".

I did wonder if something like this might happen. A bit affected post-Rocky Horror. Glad ACDC didn't get the 'Rum Tum Tugger' treatment though.

I assume that's what they are doing in between and at each performance. If we all see the same show then what was the point?

At the start of the show, Andrew said they would be making revisions to the show based on audience feedback, but I wasnt given a questionaire or asked for feedback so i'm wondering how that will work. Maybe they'll just go on audience reaction, if so, I Do should be cut by now

Maybe he keeps it because his son part wrote it.

The song that opened act 2 was called something like 'I Got This'. It was led by the 3 Rockies and was a rap type song. Anyone know if this was new?

3 of the 4 shows that were nominated for Best New Musical at the 1984 Olivier Awards have all been in London this year, Starlight, 42nd Street and The Hired Man. The other one yet to make a come back is Pump Boys and Dinettes.

Looking at the credits, its great to see Gareth Owen Sound Designing for ALW. He always a great, full sound compared to some other designers so this is good, hopefully leads to even more work for that team.

hahahhahahahahahahhahahahahahhahahahahhahaha 
thats dire.

Could Tassita be the Quiet Carriage as in 'tacit/taciturn?'