A New 'Starlight' Comes Out Of The Sidings.

[MamasDoin'Fine]

The Stage
http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/36181/starlight-express

[bob8rich]

I know many people love this show but I'm afraid I was bored witless when I saw it at the Apollo Victoria years ago. So I don't think I'll be taking a ride this time round.

[Princeton Returns]

Has anyone seen this yet? Trying to work out if it's worth seeing

[MamasDoin'Fine]

I'll never forget the thrill of seeing this about a week after it opened at the Apollo Victoria, the buzz around Victoria was simply amazing.
It really was an event.
Sadly, a few years later it just got very tired.

[philitalia]

Before seeing it I was convinced I wouldn't like it, but I was so wrong. Absolutely loved it. IMO the later productions and recordings were never as good.

[MamasDoin'Fine]

[CATSNYrevival]

Has anyone seen this new tour? I'm curious to know what songs they're performing this time around.

So far it looks a lot like the US tour from a few years back. That one also used the 3D videos for the race sequences.

[MamasDoin'Fine]

Its only been open a few days in Wimbledon.
I'm sure personal reviews will creep in soon.
The only review I could find so far is from The Stage which is in the first post here!

[CATSNYrevival]

Oh, bummer. Too bad they're not using the revised version of "Only He" that was used for the last UK tour and the New Zealand tour. I really liked that version. It would have been nice if they had officially released the Rebecca Wright/Will Martin version as a single on itunes or something.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YesuOaTVguo

[MamasDoin'Fine]

I cant ****ing believe they took out 'Only He'! Tears are in my eyes remembering the wonderful Stephanie Lawrence singing it in the original!
Why????

[CATSNYrevival]

^That song has been in and out for years with several different versions. As far as I know, there were three(?) different versions of "Only He/Only You" along with "Next Time We Fall in Love" which just replaced the song all together and now we have something called "I Do" that wasn't even written by Andrew.

As I said, I prefer the duet version from the last UK tour. I don't really understand why they recorded it with Rebecca Wright and Will Martin and then only ever released it as a low quality video on youtube. Where's the itunes single?!?

[MamasDoin'Fine]

Of course I know all that but 'Only He' is a classic song from that show, most would expect to hear it.

[CATSNYrevival]

^I'd definitely be upset. I was kind of hoping that they might record this tour since there have been so many updates over the years that have gone unrecorded, but if "Only He" is out then so am I.

[philitalia]

Bringing back Belle is also out of the question I suppose

[MamasDoin'Fine]

LOL

[exedore]

From friends who've been...

The new song is rubbish.
Whole Lotta Locomotion (aka Beauty Underneath from LND) is still in and still rubbish as well.
Girls' Rolling Stock is back in.
Ashley has been replaced with Duvay, a sleeper.
New video projections.
New orchestrations, they're apparently quite good?


I'm on the wrong continent for this, but saw the show in Bochum four times and it's spoiled me on it forever. Bochum also still has the original Locomotion and, last I went, Only He (though this may be going out for the new song at the annual cast change. They tend to shake the show up a bit every year.)

[devonian.t]

The tinkering has turned the show into a mess.

The original production- though not the greatest drama in the world- was one of the greatest spectaculars, with a dream cast.

It makes me sad to think that we lost Stephanie L and Michael S so young.

Contrast the opening of the original London production with the shabby "spectacle" of the new arena JCS- I know why I'm not excited.

[Princeton Returns]

They have this round the wrong way. JCS should be toured by Kenwright and Starlight should be touring arenas, with no need of a reality show

[Phantom of London]

I saw this at yesterdays matinee in Wimbledon.

What a disappointment I expected to have the tracks wrapping round the theatre and that massive bridge lowered into place, to echo John Napier's great set.

Only kidding, I was curious to see how this was translated to a conventional proscenium stage, which I am pleased to report was very good, with great use of lighting and use liberal of 3D effects, with the emphasis on liberal, which is great for this effect as it becomes overwhelming if overused.

If anyone is thinking of catching the tour, it is worth the trek to your local theatre for what can be considered one of Andrew Lloyd Webbers blandest score and Richard Stilgoes book which is pallid, but the show is still enjoyable, if you accept it for what it is.

Song list, Act 1:

Overdure/Entry Of Nationals Trains
Rolling Stock
A Whole Lotta Locomotion
He'll Whistle At Me
Freight
AC/DC
Pumping Iron
Coda Of freight
Crazy
Make Up My Heart
Poppa's Blues
Laughing Stock
Starlight Express

Act 2:

The Rap
U.N.C.O.U.P.L.E.D
Rolling Stock (Reprise)
Right Place, Right Time
Starlight Sequence
Pre-Race Four
One Rock 'n' Roll Too Many
I Do*
Light At The End Of The Tunnel

*Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Nick Cooler.

I cannot remember what were the original ones and the second revision and new ones penned by David Yazbek? I love the song 'I Do'.

[Jonwo]

I saw The original production and the last UK tour and while I prefer the original, the touring production is pretty decent and the 3D races is quite a good way of showcasing the races.

I would love to see the Bochum production as I doubt Starlight will ever be revived in its original form.

[Phantom of London]

I agree that Starlight will not be revived in its original form, be too expensive.

I also like to see the Bochum production, is it in German?

[exedore]

The Bochum production is indeed in German.

[Phantom of London]

I thought it would be, however I understand other productions are sometimes done in English?

[CATSNYrevival]

^So did the article just mean that the lyrics for "I Do" where written by Alastair? The music is still Andrew's?

[Phantom of London]

Yes, just the lyrics were done by Nick Cooler.

[TBFL]

Bring back CB and Belle!!