Starlight Express - Troubadour

[BVM]

Do agree with those above that I really can't imagine this would be anywhere near as impressive as Bochum. Well, certainly not in the physical set. I am expecting some impressive audiovisuals.

Agree with viserys that The Troubadour would collapse under the weight of the Bochum set.

Bochum is also (pretty much) permanent; whereas this will have been designed to all take down again in 1 year/2 years/however long it runs.

Also agree with viserys that for all the technical wizardry I hope they don't forget the heart and soul of the show. Back in the day when I'd tell people how much I loved Starlight, standard response would be "oh yeah I've heard that's pretty spectacular but doesn't have much of a story does it?" And then they'd get a response from me that I think it's one the best, most profound stories in musical theatre. Beautiful in it's simplicity and messaging!

On an unrelated topic, I do wonder how they'll cope with the large amount of seating that people will need to cross track to escape from mid show. (It looks like way more than the AV where all of Stalls other than inner circle could get out by going under Stalls track and not crossing it) The amount of people at London theatres who have to leave their seats for whatever reason at whatever time is much higher than in Germany. Dunno why! In Bochum it's all very tightly controlled and at the risk of invoking national stereotypes it's very well ordered and I have never seen a problem with the interaction of punters and ushers. And usually literally just one or two (usually kids) have to get out mid show. Remains to be seen if this attracts the Binge Britain and/or hen party set in time but do hope chaos will not ensue! Show stops for trains running over Huns would be #suboptimal. 

[BurlyBeaR]

Illegal filming will be off the scale too.

[BVM]

Jun 5, 2024 6:32:00 GMT BurlyBeaR said:

Illegal filming will be off the scale too.

I’m terrified as to how this production will interact with the Bad Behaviour thread. Frequently I suspect.

[thecursedexpress]

Today I am wondering how long this version will last? As the Troubadour is technically an off west end theatre and some people have speculated it might have two good years potentially. Obviously all hypothetical. But do you think it could transfer into a West End theatre again or is that a health and safety nightmare. I don't know just shower thoughts, I'm just glad I finally get to see it in some capacity.

[blamerobots]

Looking at current ticket sales, I think this'll run for a loooooooooooooooooooooooong time. At least more than 2 years with the current demand.

It's likely outselling Newsies already, at least twofold I reckon.

[PineappleForYou]

Jun 5, 2024 21:28:33 GMT thecursedexpress said:

But do you think it could transfer into a West End theatre again or is that a health and safety nightmare.

My first trip to the Troubadour was for Newsies and I came to the same realisation as many theatre fans that it was begging for a Starlight revival. I mean, they've renamed it already to "The Starlight Auditorium" so I imagine they intend it to be a decent run. This isn't just The Troubadour hosting a production of Starlight Express - this is the home of Starlight Express. I also somehow think that installing skating tracks in the West End's listed theatres wouldn't go down as well these days as it did in the 80s!

If Sunset Boulevard was a warm up and the audience reaction that production managed to create is followed through, it can't not be a smash hit.

Also, I think this set is going to beat Bochum - there, I've said it, come for me. 😂 To ask non theatre people to travel from around the country and Londoners to venture to Zone 4 for a lacklustre show, you must be having a laugh. This needs to be ABBA Voyage with trains at this point!

I guess we'll see real soon...

[Being Alive]

Jun 5, 2024 21:45:12 GMT blamerobots said:

Looking at current ticket sales, I think this'll run for a loooooooooooooooooooooooong time. At least more than 2 years with the current demand.

It's likely outselling Newsies already, at least twofold I reckon.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves here. It's selling well, but it's also cost a LOT to put on, and the size of the cast and crew will mean it's an expensive show to run on a weekly basis (even with them not having to pay West End rates.)

No reason to suggest it won't have a healthy run at this stage, but let's not assume 2 years yet - it is in Zone 4 😂😂

[blamerobots]

Jun 5, 2024 22:26:37 GMT Being Alive said:

Jun 5, 2024 21:45:12 GMT blamerobots said:

Looking at current ticket sales, I think this'll run for a loooooooooooooooooooooooong time. At least more than 2 years with the current demand.

It's likely outselling Newsies already, at least twofold I reckon.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves here. It's selling well, but it's also cost a LOT to put on, and the size of the cast and crew will mean it's an expensive show to run on a weekly basis (even with them not having to pay West End rates.)

No reason to suggest it won't have a healthy run at this stage, but let's not assume 2 years yet - it is in Zone 4 😂😂

I did think to myself before posting whether I was truly going over the top, but the demand for this is truly fascinating. I seriously do think this could run and run for a long while, Zone 4 be damned

Do we have numbers for the budget of this production, or has it been kept a secret like most West End show budgets? Every production at the Troubadour seems to be a big gamble because of its sheer size, but I got the idea that the ticket prices being slightly loftier were to compensate for the budget and running costs. Even then, they're certainly selling..!

[ceebee]

Jun 5, 2024 22:32:42 GMT blamerobots said:

Jun 5, 2024 22:26:37 GMT Being Alive said:

Let's not get ahead of ourselves here. It's selling well, but it's also cost a LOT to put on, and the size of the cast and crew will mean it's an expensive show to run on a weekly basis (even with them not having to pay West End rates.)

No reason to suggest it won't have a healthy run at this stage, but let's not assume 2 years yet - it is in Zone 4 😂😂

I did think to myself before posting whether I was truly going over the top, but the demand for this is truly fascinating. I seriously do think this could run and run for a long while, Zone 4 be damned

Do we have numbers for the budget of this production, or has it been kept a secret like most West End show budgets? Every production at the Troubadour seems to be a big gamble because of its sheer size, but I got the idea that the ticket prices being slightly loftier were to compensate for the budget and running costs. Even then, they're certainly selling..!

Budget forecasts are available to investors - I'd guess around £4.5m for Starlight. Hasn't it recouped already on presales?

[d'James]

I still think they should have included a return from Zone One with each ticket. (Maybe when sales dip).

[Phantom of London]

The original Starlight Express was sandwiched between Cats and The Phantom of the Opera, the latter two being produced by Cameron Mackintosh, so wonder why he dodged on Starlight?

[BVM]

Jun 5, 2024 23:39:26 GMT Phantom of London said:

The original Starlight Express was sandwiched between Cats and The Phantom of the Opera, the latter two being produced by Cameron Mackintosh, so wonder why he dodged on Starlight?

I think they didn’t want each other!

Cameron’s an unusual producer as he doesn’t really just see a money making opportunity. He really artistically loves the shows he’s involved in. And often steers a lot of creative development. Even helping the writers develop the show long before it’s ready for the stage. Think Starlight just didn’t float his boat.

Also at the time, the new ish Really Useful Theatre Company had the ambition to produce solo and Starlight was the first!

[BVM]

As to how long this could run? I’m pretty guarded. Sure said somewhere up thread the early sales are great but so were Cats, Evita, Saigon revivals. Before dropping off a cliff. I’d hazard vast majority of early bookings are people who have seen the show before. Which is great. But that can’t sustain a long run.
You need two things:
- tourists
- a new audience

Former, especially passing by on the day type sales may well be problematic in Wembley.
The latter, for all the “please don’t change it” from much of the older camp, it has to appeal to a new audience with different sensibilities IF you want it to run and run.

So whilst I’d love to see this turn into a long runner with several cast changes I’d say it’s a big unknown. As the current audience will have to be MASSIVELY backed up by the groups above after the first six months. And getting tourists to Wembley for a show that’s had 99% of its success just in UK and Germany is hard.

That said, the producing and creative team behind this are at the top of their game. It’s definitely something different. And I really hope it could be a massive hit. LWH Musicals first revival (Sunset) was huge. Though of course never tested longevity wise.

[viserys]

Re: tourists finding their way to Wembley...

I wonder if it was THAT different back then though? For tourists wandering around the West End (Shaftesbury Avenue / Leicester Square / etc) the Apollo Victoria would have felt pretty remote, too, no? Surely there won't have been all that many "passing by" sales and back then they didn't even have the benefit of today's online marketing to flood people's devices with.

And while I personally consider that ABBA Voyage thing money-spinning rubbish I wouldn't set foot into, it DOES seem to be fairly successful out there in the boondocks and clearly knows how to attract tourists.

Plus, it may be more attractive to out-of-towners coming by car, because they don't need to deal with driving into central London (or hassle with unloading the whole family into public transport).

Another argument: This isn't any random suburb, it's Wembley with a legendary football stadium that is a tourist attraction in itself. Many families might be happy to go there together and ditch Dad for a stadium tour, while Mom and kids go see Starlight Express.

What really matters now (IMHO) is the quality of the show itself - they already got several thousand people through the doors, if these people now spread good WOM it's set to run for 2-3 years at least. If people come out going "meh, that wasn't what I hoped it would be" - it's a different game.

[thedrowsychaperone]

Back in early-2020, I went to see The Wedding Singer at Troubadour and my companion (a theatre manager himself) chatted to the house manager and got us a tour of the whole facility and backstage etc. At the time, the house manager told us that the building was due to be torn down in 2026 (assuming that's when a lease finishes?) so effectively the theatre was just a pop-up filling the space until then and using a lot of the resources left from it's TV studio days. I haven't really heard anything about that since but I'm assuming that must have changed, especially as Starlight has the opportunity to run for a long time? But would it warrant renewing a lease for?

[BurlyBeaR]

Are you all joking about London audiences not being willing to get on a tube to zone 4 or is that really a “thing”? I mean, I know Londoners are famous for believing they reside in the centre of the universe and being happy to pay through the nose for it but really? Zone 4 is too far?

I’ve agreed with some friends that if the feedback is good we’ll come down maybe after Christmas. No rush. I’m sure there’s a wider audience outside London who would do the same.

[kit66]

Before Cats people used to say the New London/Gillian Lynne was a "white elephant" that no one would go to or could even find.If the show is a known "must see" the public will go whatever the distance/locality.

[max]

Over the years a few people have managed to find their way from Wembley Park Station to a local entertainment venue...Wembley Stadium I think they call it, or something . The underground station's only 12 mins from Baker Street.

Are we about to see a theatre fans v football fans loyalty/IQ test?

Tbf - match days may not be much fun.

[bobbievanhusen]

Jun 6, 2024 9:44:40 GMT BurlyBeaR said:

Are you all joking about London audiences not being willing to get on a tube to zone 4 or is that really a “thing”? I mean, I know Londoners are famous for believing they reside in the centre of the universe and being happy to pay through the nose for it but really? Zone 4 is too far?

I’ve agreed with some friends that if the feedback is good we’ll come down maybe after Christmas. No rush. I’m sure there’s a wider audience outside London who would do the same.

It's definitely a thing. Anything beyond zone 2 seems like a hassle and difficult to get back from, but then when you actually look it up, it usually not that difficult at all.

Clapham to Wembley takes roughly 55-60 minutes, so it's not the easiest of plac3s to get to.

[theatrefan62]

Yeah I've got London friends who need serious motivation to cross the city from one side to another.

And to get them beyond the m25? Never!

[blamerobots]

Getting to London is always an hour's affair for me, and then on top the time to get to wherever from LLS.

But when I see a show, I typically don't mind the journey, and neither does anyone else I know. It's just a part of getting there. It's a time to chat with friends, or catch up on work or read the paper.

But some people can't go to Zone 4 from like, Zone 2? I suppose it depends where you are but... I wouldn't want to see them on long flights.

[blamerobots]

Jun 6, 2024 9:44:40 GMT BurlyBeaR said:

I’m sure there’s a wider audience outside London who would do the same.

I never truly realised how many people know this show and would travel to see it. Was down in Brighton in a pub for a meet up and they all knew it and were totally up to seeing it.

[BVM]

Jun 6, 2024 9:44:40 GMT BurlyBeaR said:

Are you all joking about London audiences not being willing to get on a tube to zone 4 or is that really a “thing”? I mean, I know Londoners are famous for believing they reside in the centre of the universe and being happy to pay through the nose for it but really? Zone 4 is too far?

I’ve agreed with some friends that if the feedback is good we’ll come down maybe after Christmas. No rush. I’m sure there’s a wider audience outside London who would do the same.

Oh deffo a thing! Not for everyone obvs but for many London people. And for lots of Home Counties people it’s a significant journey time increase. Esp getting home after an evening show!

And tourists don’t leave Zone 1 much (as a massive slightly unfair generalisation, obvs)!

[BVM]

Jun 6, 2024 7:10:38 GMT viserys said:

Re: tourists finding their way to Wembley...

I wonder if it was THAT different back then though? For tourists wandering around the West End (Shaftesbury Avenue / Leicester Square / etc) the Apollo Victoria would have felt pretty remote, too, no? Surely there won't have been all that many "passing by" sales and back then they didn't even have the benefit of today's online marketing to flood people's devices with.

And while I personally consider that ABBA Voyage thing money-spinning rubbish I wouldn't set foot into, it DOES seem to be fairly successful out there in the boondocks and clearly knows how to attract tourists.

Plus, it may be more attractive to out-of-towners coming by car, because they don't need to deal with driving into central London (or hassle with unloading the whole family into public transport).

Another argument: This isn't any random suburb, it's Wembley with a legendary football stadium that is a tourist attraction in itself. Many families might be happy to go there together and ditch Dad for a stadium tour, while Mom and kids go see Starlight Express.

What really matters now (IMHO) is the quality of the show itself - they already got several thousand people through the doors, if these people now spread good WOM it's set to run for 2-3 years at least. If people come out going "meh, that wasn't what I hoped it would be" - it's a different game.

True re not being West End but AV was in such a prominent spot. Everyone using Victoria station (which most tourists would use at some point) saw it. And must be biggest marquee in town with its length and double sidedness. You can’t accidentally walk past the Troubadour!

Abba I think sadly transcends any kind of global popularity Starlight has! Literally everyone I know has seen the Abba thing. Though if it ends up a destination like that I’d be very happy :-)

You’re totally right though. Key factor is the show actually being good!

[BVM]

Just been looking at Wembley hotel prices. Doesn’t seem much less than central London!