Starlight Express - Troubadour

[viserys]

I'm with d'James here. A FEW changes and re-workings are certainly okay, but there's a limit to that, I think. People return to existing shows (when they are being revived) to hear songs they loved before and want to love again.

Would you go and see Evita if songs like "Don't cry for me Argentina" and "Oh What a Circus" are missing?

At least when ALW sort of re-launched the show in 1992, he called it The New Starlight Express.

Now... people have been buying tickets under the assumption they're seeing something that resembles the show they remember and love.

[BVM]

Mar 28, 2024 9:31:48 GMT d'James said:

Mar 28, 2024 0:14:15 GMT PineappleForYou said:

I think Starlight is a special case as it is very much a product of pop culture. If it doesn't reflex current tastes, it doesn't work so it has to have pretty robust overhauls to stay relevant. It's had changes ever since the 80s so I don't think there is or will ever be a definitive version - just a continuous evolution of roughly the same ingredients under the banner of "Starlight Express".

Equally, for those new audiences, this will be their "original" Starlight Express that will be "messed about with" in years to come(!)

I see what you mean, but I think trying to be ‘modern’ is where it can fall apart. The original UK Tour (and prior to that the 03-04 US Tour) had A Whole Lotta Locomotion (and other David Yazbek additions) put in. Apart from A Whole Lotta Locomotion they were all removed. That song stuck out like a sore thumb because it was trying to be like Destiny’s Child or something. When it was remixed for the 2012-13 UK Tour, it had a much more retro feel and fit in much better. A lot of the songs had been made really 80s (AC/DC for example) and it all flowed together really well.

I hope they do make it all work and that ALW lets the producers/writers/whoever have access to the full back catalogue of songs so that they can choose what they feel is best, rather than insisting on ‘I Do’ and ‘I Got Me’ overkill.

That’s one of the reasons I think The Other Palace ‘workshop’ was misleading. Apart from Right Place, Right Time, I don’t think there were many changes between any of the shows. Why didn’t they try all of the ballad duets/all of the girls’ introduction songs and see which was most popular/worked best.

I’d say a full-out retro score would work better than trying to sound modern.

If they cut Rolling Stock/Freight/Pumping Iron/AC/DC/U.N.C.O.U.P.L.E.D. and any other song but keep the title song, should it be allowed to be called Starlight Express or should it be a sequel?!

You're so right the whole "workshop" thing was hilarious. All 5 shows, other than the one that randomly had RPRT in it were identical. And don't get me started on the audience feedback forms they were allegedly reading. The place was full of mega fans, pretty attached to the original and we were all writing things like "please bring Girl's Rolling Stock back" all of which went fully ignored. When it launched in Bochum it was expanded yes, but in song structure, position and selection, completely unchanged. That said, the atmosphere at those Other Palace shows was amazing and the band sounded absolutely incredible blasting through that small space.

I could go on about the changes forever. Agree Whole Lotta as a wanna be R&B number did stick out like a sore thumb. But then in the second tour and Bochum I really rather liked it. Not sure how much of my original reticence was due to how much I missed A Lotta. I Got Me am not a massive fan of and it now makes me miss Whole Lotta.

I Do I actually quite like. In the 25th Bochum version the staging was fab though it's pretty bland now sadly which I think undermines the song a bit. I definitely prefer it to Next Time You Fall In Love. I did love Only He/You though. Funnily enough my fave version of that is the cheesy Yazbeck version of the first tours. At least the melody survives in the show currently in I Am The Starlight.

Like said before, I think every fan could pick their fave elements from all the versions and construct their own show!

[d'James]

Mar 28, 2024 10:04:58 GMT viserys said:

I'm with d'James here. A FEW changes and re-workings are certainly okay, but there's a limit to that, I think. People return to existing shows (when they are being revived) to hear songs they loved before and want to love again.

Would you go and see Evita if songs like "Don't cry for me Argentina" and "Oh What a Circus" are missing?

At least when ALW sort of re-launched the show in 1992, he called it The New Starlight Express.

Now... people have been buying tickets under the assumption they're seeing something that resembles the show they remember and love.

Yes. The poster literally says ‘The Legend Is Back.’

[bobbievanhusen]

Mar 28, 2024 9:31:48 GMT d'James said:

I see what you mean, but I think trying to be ‘modern’ is where it can fall apart. The original UK Tour (and prior to that the 03-04 US Tour) had A Whole Lotta Locomotion (and other David Yazbek additions) put in. Apart from A Whole Lotta Locomotion they were all removed. That song stuck out like a sore thumb because it was trying to be like Destiny’s Child or something. When it was remixed for the 2012-13 UK Tour, it had a much more retro feel and fit in much better. A lot of the songs had been made really 80s (AC/DC for example) and it all flowed together really well.

I hope they do make it all work and that ALW lets the producers/writers/whoever have access to the full back catalogue of songs so that they can choose what they feel is best, rather than insisting on ‘I Do’ and ‘I Got Me’ overkill.

That’s one of the reasons I think The Other Palace ‘workshop’ was misleading. Apart from Right Place, Right Time, I don’t think there were many changes between any of the shows. Why didn’t they try all of the ballad duets/all of the girls’ introduction songs and see which was most popular/worked best.

I’d say a full-out retro score would work better than trying to sound modern.

Now you've got me thinking this could turn into another 'Rent Remixed'

[Oobi]

Mar 28, 2024 10:04:58 GMT viserys said:

I'm with d'James here. A FEW changes and re-workings are certainly okay, but there's a limit to that, I think. People return to existing shows (when they are being revived) to hear songs they loved before and want to love again.

Would you go and see Evita if songs like "Don't cry for me Argentina" and "Oh What a Circus" are missing?

At least when ALW sort of re-launched the show in 1992, he called it The New Starlight Express.

Now... people have been buying tickets under the assumption they're seeing something that resembles the show they remember and love.

Eh. I see your point, but Starlight Express is second only to Chess in terms of story/songlist retoolings. Its reputation is built on skating spectacle and 80s energy more than any particular songs or costumes.

[rosiextheatre]

Mar 28, 2024 10:04:58 GMT viserys said:

I'm with d'James here. A FEW changes and re-workings are certainly okay, but there's a limit to that, I think. People return to existing shows (when they are being revived) to hear songs they loved before and want to love again.

Would you go and see Evita if songs like "Don't cry for me Argentina" and "Oh What a Circus" are missing?

At least when ALW sort of re-launched the show in 1992, he called it The New Starlight Express.

Now... people have been buying tickets under the assumption they're seeing something that resembles the show they remember and love.

yeah I agree I really hope the orginal magic stays along with most of the original songs like rolling stock pumping iron ect. But I feel like greaseballs songs will get completely reworked due to a portrayal of the opposite gender

[rosiextheatre]

Also has Red Caboose been removed from this production and the national engines?

[d'James]

Mar 28, 2024 10:20:20 GMT BVM said:

Mar 28, 2024 9:31:48 GMT d'James said:

I see what you mean, but I think trying to be ‘modern’ is where it can fall apart. The original UK Tour (and prior to that the 03-04 US Tour) had A Whole Lotta Locomotion (and other David Yazbek additions) put in. Apart from A Whole Lotta Locomotion they were all removed. That song stuck out like a sore thumb because it was trying to be like Destiny’s Child or something. When it was remixed for the 2012-13 UK Tour, it had a much more retro feel and fit in much better. A lot of the songs had been made really 80s (AC/DC for example) and it all flowed together really well.

I hope they do make it all work and that ALW lets the producers/writers/whoever have access to the full back catalogue of songs so that they can choose what they feel is best, rather than insisting on ‘I Do’ and ‘I Got Me’ overkill.

That’s one of the reasons I think The Other Palace ‘workshop’ was misleading. Apart from Right Place, Right Time, I don’t think there were many changes between any of the shows. Why didn’t they try all of the ballad duets/all of the girls’ introduction songs and see which was most popular/worked best.

I’d say a full-out retro score would work better than trying to sound modern.

If they cut Rolling Stock/Freight/Pumping Iron/AC/DC/U.N.C.O.U.P.L.E.D. and any other song but keep the title song, should it be allowed to be called Starlight Express or should it be a sequel?!

You're so right the whole "workshop" thing was hilarious. All 5 shows, other than the one that randomly had RPRT in it were identical. And don't get me started on the audience feedback forms they were allegedly reading. The place was full of mega fans, pretty attached to the original and we were all writing things like "please bring Girl's Rolling Stock back" all of which went fully ignored. When it launched in Bochum it was expanded yes, but in song structure, position and selection, completely unchanged. That said, the atmosphere at those Other Palace shows was amazing and the band sounded absolutely incredible blasting through that small space.

I could go on about the changes forever. Agree Whole Lotta as a wanna be R&B number did stick out like a sore thumb. But then in the second tour and Bochum I really rather liked it. Not sure how much of my original reticence was due to how much I missed A Lotta. I Got Me am not a massive fan of and it now makes me miss Whole Lotta.

I Do I actually quite like. In the 25th Bochum version the staging was fab though it's pretty bland now sadly which I think undermines the song a bit. I definitely prefer it to Next Time You Fall In Love. I did love Only He/You though. Funnily enough my fave version of that is the cheesy Yazbeck version of the first tours. At least the melody survives in the show currently in I Am The Starlight.

Like said before, I think every fan could pick their fave elements from all the versions and construct their own show!

I like I Do as a love song. It just doesn’t really have any relation to the story. I love the UK Tour version of Only You, too.

[BurlyBeaR]

[bobbievanhusen]

In the middle of the song at the awards ceremony, I wonder if they just stopped singing when they moved to the filmed footage in the Gershwin theatre??

[erik24601]

Mar 28, 2024 22:35:03 GMT BurlyBeaR said:

I don't think I've ever heard that song sung quite so MT in all my life!

[ronnette]

Just wanted to point out that the cast aren’t all graduates. Kelly downing has been grafting in ensembles (most notably OG WE Hamilton for 3 years) as well as doing the SE 25th anniversary … she’s in as dance captain. Her bio is impressive.

[thecursedexpress]

Saying this is all gradutes is a bit harsh. I mean alot of them have done Bochum Old and Revised show: Lucy Glover (2017-2022), Jayred Lempriere (2019), Kelly Downing (2013-2014), Jaydon Vijn (2019), Gary Sheridan (2017 - 2022), David Brown (2018 - 2022 - was lead Greaseball), Hannah Kiss (2017-2018), Charles Butcher (2019). I mean majority of them are swings but I see their reasoning behind it. Injury wise. I'm excited for it, new characters etc. In regards to Caboose, I did think that role might go to Slick Oil just a hunch but other characters are going to be announced still. I do think Lumber and Porter might be a replacement for Dustin and Flattop. It will be interesting how this plays out but I think its cool having two unique Starlights playing in London and Bochum.

[BVM]

Apr 1, 2024 16:48:08 GMT thecursedexpress said:

Saying this is all gradutes is a bit harsh. I mean alot of them have done Bochum Old and Revised show: Lucy Glover (2017-2022), Jayred Lempriere (2019), Kelly Downing (2013-2014), Jaydon Vijn (2019), Gary Sheridan (2017 - 2022), David Brown (2018 - 2022 - was lead Greaseball), Hannah Kiss (2017-2018), Charles Butcher (2019). I mean majority of them are swings but I see their reasoning behind it. Injury wise. I'm excited for it, new characters etc. In regards to Caboose, I did think that role might go to Slick Oil just a hunch but other characters are going to be announced still. I do think Lumber and Porter might be a replacement for Dustin and Flattop. It will be interesting how this plays out but I think its cool having two unique Starlights playing in London and Bochum.

Yes - globally there is a huge amount of experience in this cast. Saying everyone is graduates is just ill researched! (I know not everyone said that and and some of the complaining was about the leads only).

[BVM]

Completely 100% NON scientific poll on the evil evil Facebook asking "would you still have got tickets so early if you had known about the changes being made to the show?"

5 options.

70% yes (to see a new variation of show/not fussed by changes)
8% yes but would adjust expectations
15% not sure
3% no
(Rest - other)

As I said totally not scientific (and small sample size ) but added for fun.

It is inline with my personal hunch though that most ticket buyers won't be leaving in crushing disappointment from expectation/reality gap. Though this is another guess in a world of uncertainty!

[alece10]

To be honest I saw it so long ago (back in the 80s) that I wouldn't even know if I was watching the original, new or updated version. All I remember was it was great fun and like nothing I had seen on the stage before.

[danb]

Until someone sees it, we don’t even know what we have to make a poll about. Lets just wait and see eh?

[fiyero]

As long as it is bright, loud and about trains I think I'll be happy. Starlight Express is definitely not a museum piece that should be performed unchanged!
I've only seen touring versions so know others will have an opinion but after seeing how Newsies used the space I am hoping for great spectacle. I'm also excited for young talent on stage, this isn't the same as seeing a 20 year old playing Jean Valjean!

[asps2017]

Any news on the moving seats and if they’ve been scrapped?

[thecursedexpress]

Apr 3, 2024 16:07:21 GMT asps2017 said:

Any news on the moving seats and if they’ve been scrapped?

Checked one of my tickets as I have a 1st Class Carriage one for the second preview and all it says is seat is close to the track. I think these seats will be like Bochum as in you can do a full turn to watch everyone skate round but I don't know if they are doing the moving seats (ie Cinderella style). Who knows until the 1st preview they might be keeping it as a surprise who knows. 

[bobbievanhusen]

If they still do them, they'll be big office chairs nailed to the floor. I can't imagine they would install a moving floor koke the New London

[benj]

On TodayTix it says first class carriage seats move during the performance. I guess we’ll have to wait and see…

[ash]

Apr 3, 2024 23:43:17 GMT benj said:

On TodayTix it says first class carriage seats move during the performance. I guess we’ll have to wait and see…

I think it's been said before, but when I bought my tickets, it clearly said that the seats will move, and the area will not be completely accessible throughout the whole show. However, when you look at buying tickets now it just says about them being next to the race tracks, and therefore not fully accessible. Guess we'll have to wait and see... Part of me was hoping, because of the way the stage and seats are laid out, is that the whole stage and first few blocks of seats would be on a revolve, like at the Gillian Lynne.

[thecursedexpress]

Apr 4, 2024 9:40:49 GMT ash said:

Apr 3, 2024 23:43:17 GMT benj said:

On TodayTix it says first class carriage seats move during the performance. I guess we’ll have to wait and see…

I think it's been said before, but when I bought my tickets, it clearly said that the seats will move, and the area will not be completely accessible throughout the whole show. However, when you look at buying tickets now it just says about them being next to the race tracks, and therefore not fully accessible. Guess we'll have to wait and see... Part of me was hoping, because of the way the stage and seats are laid out, is that the whole stage and first few blocks of seats would be on a revolve, like at the Gillian Lynne.

Tbh I kinda want it to be like that at points as I only saw Cinderella once and I would have went again just for the moving seats. So I hope Starlight incoporates it. 

[danb]

That seems like an awful lot of expense and bother to go to? Like we’ve said earlier, theres no substage or anywhere to put the mechanics so it would be tricky. Excited to see what they do.