5,149 posts
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Post by Being Alive on Jun 12, 2024 22:20:49 GMT
What on earth did I just watch?
I can't believe this actually exists 😂
As a musical? Bobbins.
As a fairground ride? Spectacular.
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Post by thecursedexpress on Jun 12, 2024 22:59:18 GMT
What on earth did I just watch? I can't believe this actually exists 😂 As a musical? Bobbins. As a fairground ride? Spectacular. to be fair the musical isn't deep but it's a very fun show. |
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5,149 posts
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Post by Being Alive on Jun 12, 2024 23:08:20 GMT
What on earth did I just watch? I can't believe this actually exists 😂 As a musical? Bobbins. As a fairground ride? Spectacular. to be fair the musical isn't deep but it's a very fun show. Is it though? I think people must have a weird loyalty to the show due to nostalgia from their youth or something, because as a piece of writing it's...something. That said, visually impressive. Sound and lighting gorgeous. But they ALL are skating too slowly (with the exception of Hydrogen) and they need to speed up (and Pearl needs to learn how to skate 👀) Audience ate it up though, so what do I know? |
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28 posts
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Post by jrj624 on Jun 13, 2024 1:07:17 GMT
Was going to check out the online merchandise shop but when I clicked on the link this is what came up ...
Warning: Potential Security Risk Ahead
Firefox detected a potential security threat and did not continue to shop.starlightexpresslondon.com. If you visit this site, attackers could try to steal information like your passwords, emails, or credit card details.
Anybody else receive this warning?
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541 posts
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Post by drowseychap on Jun 13, 2024 1:19:15 GMT
I was so excited about seeing this especially in that space , a bit disappointed by all the clips I’ve seen … but yes got to give them all time to settle in .. will give it a go if prices come down a little … I’m all for change and new visions etc
Then I saw a you tube clip promo for the production in 1999 taken from a VHS with a very young James Gillan as the lead OMG even on crackly vhs …. It looks spectacular even back then without the tech available now …. The speed .. lights ,,, the bridge … the excitement the singing … and boy could they all skate !
Now I’m not sure if I should just reminisce about the original 🤔☺️
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197 posts
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Post by dan on Jun 13, 2024 5:46:31 GMT
Was going to check out the online merchandise shop but when I clicked on the link this is what came up ...
Warning: Potential Security Risk Ahead
Firefox detected a potential security threat and did not continue to shop.starlightexpresslondon.com. If you visit this site, attackers could try to steal information like your passwords, emails, or credit card details.
Anybody else receive this warning?
Yeah I still can’t get through the shop! I’ve seen products a few times but it continues to crash and be buggy to the point of not being able to actually give them my money! |
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2,245 posts
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Post by richey on Jun 13, 2024 6:40:26 GMT
Has the run time for this been confirmed?
I've booked the matinee in a few weeks time and need to be back in central London for the evening performance of Stranger Things at 7pm. Hope I'll be able to make it as it's now also election day.
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3,428 posts
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Post by ceebee on Jun 13, 2024 7:47:39 GMT
Has the run time for this been confirmed? I've booked the matinee in a few weeks time and need to be back in central London for the evening performance of Stranger Things at 7pm. Hope I'll be able to make it as it's now also election day. You'll be fine - plenty of time to get back. I think it's about 2hr 20mins long. |
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5,149 posts
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Post by Being Alive on Jun 13, 2024 7:54:39 GMT
It's 2 hrs 20 but we went up 10 minutes late last night.
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19,676 posts
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jun 13, 2024 8:15:19 GMT
There’s a £29.50 ticket on the Noticeboard.
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1,396 posts
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Post by BVM on Jun 13, 2024 9:09:52 GMT
There's no link to the online shop from the official website - so has it even officially launched/finished being built yet?
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1,396 posts
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Post by BVM on Jun 13, 2024 9:12:16 GMT
Has the run time for this been confirmed? I've booked the matinee in a few weeks time and need to be back in central London for the evening performance of Stranger Things at 7pm. Hope I'll be able to make it as it's now also election day. Should be plenty of time! The main issue is starting late. Ingress into auditorium is really slow and every-single-seat involves crossing track to get to so everyone needs to be in before they can start. It's started more than 10 mins late both times I have been and interval has been extended both times for same reason. Hopefully this will tighten up (though can't see how). |
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148 posts
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Post by FJ on Jun 13, 2024 9:44:43 GMT
The revolve wasn’t used as well as it could’ve been. There was one bit where the model trains went round and Control sat down too, which spoiled it in my eyes. Went again last night and this has since been changed. Control last night just stood in the centre holding the toy train. A shame, as I think the best fix would have been control stood in the middle with the two toy trains on the revolve. Will maybe still change again during previews. |
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148 posts
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Post by FJ on Jun 13, 2024 9:53:42 GMT
Never left my thoughts after the first preview, but as I'm one of the people who doesn't like the 1 star reviews with no comments or feedback left, I better give my thoughts since I'm one of the 5 star voters. I saw Starlight Express for the first time when I was about 10 on the UK tour. Whilst I appreciate this probably wasn't Starlight Express in its greatest form, it was the show that made me fall in love with Musical Theatre. Whatever anyone really thinks of this new version, it will definitely appeal to children and so I hope it inspires similar children with this production like it did with me 20 odd years ago. I absolutely loved this, and whilst I'm not trying to argue the show is fantastically written or the story is great, the score is really brilliant, and I love this production. It feels so immersive, the whole thing like a fever dream, but we are essentially in a child's imagination so I think the bright colours and OTT costumes really work. I think for the most part the cast are really great, some still trying to find their confidence on skates but some are real pro's, and a lot of very strong voices and performances in the cast. I saw it again last night, and there were a couple of minor changes to staging and lighting in a couple of numbers but nothing too major so far. 5 stars from me, as I loved the whole experience, and will definitely be back many more times. Would love to hear from some of the 1 star voters, as it's amazing to me that you wouldn't be able to find SOMETHING in this production to at least raise it to 2 stars, even if you hated it. Always interesting to hear some detailed feedback rather than just a star rating if anyone wants to share  |
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Post by d'James on Jun 13, 2024 9:56:04 GMT
Never left my thoughts after the first preview, but as I'm one of the people who doesn't like the 1 star reviews with no comments or feedback left, I better give my thoughts since I'm one of the 5 star voters. I saw Starlight Express for the first time when I was about 10 on the UK tour. Whilst I appreciate this probably wasn't Starlight Express in its greatest form, it was the show that made me fall in love with Musical Theatre. Whatever anyone really thinks of this new version, it will definitely appeal to children and so I hope it inspires similar children with this production like it did with me 20 odd years ago. I absolutely loved this, and whilst I'm not trying to argue the show is fantastically written or the story is great, the score is really brilliant, and I love this production. It feels so immersive, the whole thing like a fever dream, but we are essentially in a child's imagination so I think the bright colours and OTT costumes really work. I think for the most part the cast are really great, some still trying to find their confidence on skates but some are real pro's, and a lot of very strong voices and performances in the cast. I saw it again last night, and there were a couple of minor changes to staging and lighting in a couple of numbers but nothing too major so far. 5 stars from me, as I loved the whole experience, and will definitely be back many more times. Would love to hear from some of the 1 star voters, as it's amazing to me that you wouldn't be able to find SOMETHING in this production to at least raise it to 2 stars, even if you hated it. Always interesting to hear some detailed feedback rather than just a star rating if anyone wants to share Any changes to ‘Crazy’ yet, y’know, to make it a bit … crazy? |
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Post by evilmat360 on Jun 13, 2024 9:56:35 GMT
There's no link to the online shop from the official website - so has it even officially launched/finished being built yet? Not being shown on the website, but is being displayed in the theatre on screens in the foyer and on the merch stand price list. |
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148 posts
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Post by FJ on Jun 13, 2024 10:00:57 GMT
None that I noticed unfortunately, but there's still time.. |
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3,428 posts
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Post by ceebee on Jun 13, 2024 10:36:55 GMT
Great post FJ - I would also welcome the one star reviewers explaining their perspective on the show. I mean, a show has to be REALLY bad to get one star... |
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5,149 posts
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Post by Being Alive on Jun 13, 2024 10:39:09 GMT
The thing is, having watched it last night, I do sort of see how you could give this one star because it's absolutely whackadoodle.
It depends what you're reviewing it as - if you're reviewing it as a piece of musical theatre (book/score etc) then (whilst it would be harsh) I could get it.
If you're reviewing it as a spectacle, then absolutely this isn't one star.
Different perspectives I guess!
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7,060 posts
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Post by Jon on Jun 13, 2024 10:40:57 GMT
to be fair the musical isn't deep but it's a very fun show. Is it though? I think people must have a weird loyalty to the show due to nostalgia from their youth or something, because as a piece of writing it's...something. That said, visually impressive. Sound and lighting gorgeous. But they ALL are skating too slowly (with the exception of Hydrogen) and they need to speed up (and Pearl needs to learn how to skate 👀) Audience ate it up though, so what do I know? Starlight Express is a lot of fun and is a spectacle but the plot makes Cats look like Chekhov. I wonder if the slow skating is a health and safety thing? |
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5,149 posts
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Post by Being Alive on Jun 13, 2024 10:45:13 GMT
Is it though? I think people must have a weird loyalty to the show due to nostalgia from their youth or something, because as a piece of writing it's...something. That said, visually impressive. Sound and lighting gorgeous. But they ALL are skating too slowly (with the exception of Hydrogen) and they need to speed up (and Pearl needs to learn how to skate 👀) Audience ate it up though, so what do I know? Starlight Express is a lot of fun and is a spectacle but the plot makes Cats look like Chekhov. I wonder if the slow skating is a health and safety thing? The audience was having a blast and evidently not bothered that it doesn't make one iota of sense, so like I figure they'll be fine. Wondered the same about the skating but Hydrogen can really skate fast, so I don't think it is, they just need to speed up because the races could be spectacular and at the moment they're....not. |
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1,396 posts
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Post by BVM on Jun 13, 2024 10:58:07 GMT
There's no link to the online shop from the official website - so has it even officially launched/finished being built yet? Not being shown on the website, but is being displayed in the theatre on screens in the foyer and on the merch stand price list. Ahhh right! In that case it is indeed a shame that it doesn't seem to work! |
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4,177 posts
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Post by anthony40 on Jun 13, 2024 11:00:41 GMT
Soooo, does anybody have that link?  ?? |
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1,396 posts
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Post by BVM on Jun 13, 2024 11:03:57 GMT
Never left my thoughts after the first preview, but as I'm one of the people who doesn't like the 1 star reviews with no comments or feedback left, I better give my thoughts since I'm one of the 5 star voters. I saw Starlight Express for the first time when I was about 10 on the UK tour. Whilst I appreciate this probably wasn't Starlight Express in its greatest form, it was the show that made me fall in love with Musical Theatre. Whatever anyone really thinks of this new version, it will definitely appeal to children and so I hope it inspires similar children with this production like it did with me 20 odd years ago. I absolutely loved this, and whilst I'm not trying to argue the show is fantastically written or the story is great, the score is really brilliant, and I love this production. It feels so immersive, the whole thing like a fever dream, but we are essentially in a child's imagination so I think the bright colours and OTT costumes really work. I think for the most part the cast are really great, some still trying to find their confidence on skates but some are real pro's, and a lot of very strong voices and performances in the cast. I saw it again last night, and there were a couple of minor changes to staging and lighting in a couple of numbers but nothing too major so far. 5 stars from me, as I loved the whole experience, and will definitely be back many more times. Would love to hear from some of the 1 star voters, as it's amazing to me that you wouldn't be able to find SOMETHING in this production to at least raise it to 2 stars, even if you hated it. Always interesting to hear some detailed feedback rather than just a star rating if anyone wants to share I thought the tours were brilliant. Even as an Apollo Victoria devote, they really did capture for me the essence of the show. They also sold really well and were very positively received at the time. The memory of them is often (slightly unfairly IMHO) maligned now. I thought they were fab! |
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1,396 posts
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Post by BVM on Jun 13, 2024 11:11:19 GMT
Might be going out on a limb here, but I don't understand why people feel it's a poorly constructed musical.
Musically it has light and shade in all the right places. Big opening, mainly big songs and nice ballads to slow things down in middle and end of first act. Second crescendos to the Sequence, before a couple more bangers, then an epic 11 o'clock number before a rousing finale and a mega mix. It's text book!
Plot wise you have a kid who has no self belief. He looks around believing in a mythical "Starlight Express" figure to help him as he can't achieve by himself. He has an ethereal revelation that there is no Starlight Express (external force) but it lives within him. He doesn't need help cos he can do it himself. Self belief instilled. He wins the race! Sub plot of a girl who's head is turned by the coolest train/the train with the best body/ the train with the best look - before realising none of these things matter and the man with the good heart and soul is right for her.
Honestly it's so sweet, so profound, and so simple - I think a lot of people completely miss it!
It's a better plot than millions of musicals!
But whether it's plot people like or one they don't - Starlight Express unequivocally tells a story and is not just about speed and spectacle (though obvs they do enhance the experience!)
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