Starlight Express at The Brighton Centre in January
It’s race time
Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a stunning ride. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hugely successful locomotive musical is back in a bigger, bolder and brighter version than ever. Originally staged at the Victoria Apollo back in the early 1980s, Starlight Express went on to huge international acclaim – and all on roller skates!
Lloyd Webber went on to write a string of huge box office hits in a number of musical styles, but in Starlight Express he gave full rein to his great musical love – rock ‘n’ roll. Musically, the show features more rock than any of his later works, fast moving with driving beats and the plaintive sounds of the blues harmonica to add the authentic goods yard feel.
The show has simple themes: a young boy dreams that the engines in his train set are racing for supremacy. Rusty is a steam engine, shy, naive and in love with Pearl. When he loses his love, his confidence falters. In a triumph of the human spirit he finds his way to the Starlight Express.
When the night is darkest, open up your mind
Dream begins, it’s becoming clearer
Listen to the distant, listen and you’ll find
A midnight train is getting nearer
Greaseball is the diesel engine, hot, flashy power of the Union Pacific and champion from the USA. An Elvis look-alike, he acts like a cad whenever he thinks he has found something new and better. Electra is a brand new state-of-the-art electric engine and a late entry to the race. Looking like an androgynous rock star, Electra is truly AC/DC and accompanied by a wild entourage. Poppa is the old retired steam engine and Rusty’s father. When his son loses heart, Poppa comes out of retirement to prove to Rusty that power comes from within the soul.
Bobo the French engine has the power of the Sud-Est, he has arrogance with flair. Espresso comes from Italy, is dark and passionate, powering the Rome-to-Milan Express. Rhurgold is the bold and stoic German engine, powering the Inter-Continental Express. Nintendo is the ingenious and aggressive Japanese locomotive that powers the Shinkanse Bullet Train. And finally The Prince of Wales, the engine from Great Britain, often late but still beloved, “The Prince” powers the Royal train. They are joined by coaches Pearl, Dina, Ashley and Buffy the buffet and fright trucks Rocky I, II, III, Flat Top, Dustin and a whole battery of support for Electra!
As the heats take place the audience are instructed to put on their safety goggles, a clever move to make sure you get the very best from the huge 3D special effects that accompany each race. Gradually the front runners take centre stage, loyalties are tested, alliances are made and plots hatched.
Starlight Express is a fast paced entertainment that will have the whole family on the edge of their seats, cheering for their favourites as the incredible cast perform brilliant dance routines (remember, they are all on roller skates) devised and choreographed by one of the original team, the internationally acclaimed choreographer Arlene Phillips.
Get your skates on and steam down to The Brighton Centre to join the 20 million people who have already enjoyed this show worldwide.
Starlight Express, Wednesday 2 to Saturday 12 January 2013, The Brighton Centre, 7.30pm, plus 2pm matinees: Thu 3–Sat 5 Jan, Wed 9 and Sat 12 Jan 2013, £12.50–£42, Box office 0844 847 1515
www.brightoncentre.co.uk
