Starlight Express - Troubadour

[Someone in a tree]

Jun 26, 2024 19:30:45 GMT alece10 said:

Finally I think you would have to be a bl**dy boring person not to like this and not to come out smiling.

Is that not also patronising? 😉

[alece10]

I'm not getting into an argument about this and we obviously have different views and opinions so let's beg to differ and leave it there.

I forgot to say that yesterday was the hottest day of the year so far and the air con (where I was sitting) was really good, possibly bordering on cold. Can't speak for the whole of the auditorium though.

[andypandy]

Jun 26, 2024 21:12:46 GMT mrbarnaby said:

Jun 26, 2024 20:21:03 GMT alece10 said:

Well that's not patronising at all!
I thought it was very technical and if that makes me a bit simple or thick so be it.

No im genuinely interested in how you thought it was the most technical show you’ve seen in years. I didn’t think it was at all- bar some good lighting effects. Genuinely interested.

Knowing and seeing most mega musicals in the late 80's (not to mention Starlight Express in Bochum) - this production is technically disappointing sadly for what could be achieved in A that space as an empty box and B in 2024.  

No bridge, no tunnels, costumes don't look like trains, no second or third level or balcony all around the audience, no aBBAtar type holograms of trains, no real use of revolves, no huge LED screens or sensational projections (think Frameless at Marble Arch), no moving seats, no major hydraulics - and apart from good lighting, the set certainly isn't anywhere near a Metropolis the musical or Starlight on Broadway..  

The entire concept of the show could have been changed and redesigned. Think Secret Cinema? A complete 360 in the round production instead of a horseshoe? This new production is a cheap sci fi version of Bochum on a budget. It's so sad. 

[anthony40]

For anyone who has been, is U.N.C.O.U.L.P.L.E.D. still in the show? Or has it been cut?

[alece10]

Jun 27, 2024 9:53:30 GMT anthony40 said:

For anyone who has been, is U.N.C.O.U.L.P.L.E.D. still in the show? Or has it been cut?

Still there

[steve10086]

Jun 27, 2024 9:58:24 GMT alece10 said:

Jun 27, 2024 9:53:30 GMT anthony40 said:

For anyone who has been, is U.N.C.O.U.L.P.L.E.D. still in the show? Or has it been cut?

Still there

Though Dinah no longer has a Country music style, but then Greaseball is no longer Elvis based so “One Rock &
Roll…” makes little sense either. Everyone is a “cock-er-nee” and generic, like the costumes.

[Someone in a tree]

Jun 27, 2024 18:01:10 GMT steve10086 said:

Jun 27, 2024 9:58:24 GMT alece10 said:

Still there

Though Dinah no longer has a Country music style, but then Greaseball is no longer Elvis based so “One Rock &
Roll…” makes little sense either. Everyone is a “cock-er-nee” and generic, like the costumes.

It's amazing just how vers ALW is

[richey]

Asked this before but don't think I got a response- what's the running time for the show now?

[evilmat360]

Jun 27, 2024 19:25:24 GMT richey said:

Asked this before but don't think I got a response- what's the running time for the show now?

Last week had it at 2 hours 20 mins including interval. Unless there been any big changes in this last week of previews, can't see it having changed much.

[ceebee]

Jun 27, 2024 18:01:10 GMT steve10086 said:

Jun 27, 2024 9:58:24 GMT alece10 said:

Still there

Though Dinah no longer has a Country music style, but then Greaseball is no longer Elvis based so “One Rock &
Roll…” makes little sense either. Everyone is a “cock-er-nee” and generic, like the costumes.

Not true, Tassita is Geordie/Tees. "Orr norr it's the freyut treyuns..."

[concorde]

Dynamic pricing means that if you purchased tickets in advance and cannot go, good luck reselling your tickets. Basically you are out the money.

[bobbievanhusen]

Jun 27, 2024 21:57:51 GMT concorde said:

Dynamic pricing means that if you purchased tickets in advance and cannot go, good luck reselling your tickets. Basically you are out the money.

You're able to exchange tickets for a later date if you can't make the one you booked. You just need to do it 48hrs before the show starts

[Dr Tom]

Jun 27, 2024 21:57:51 GMT concorde said:

Dynamic pricing means that if you purchased tickets in advance and cannot go, good luck reselling your tickets. Basically you are out the money.

This is selling well, but I don’t think there’s demand for resales. All I can suggest is to purchase through TodayTix and add their insurance. You can cancel if you can’t go (or even cancel and rebuy if prices go down).

For the running time question, I’d have this more at 2 hours 30 minutes, but that does include getting out of the building.

There’s little posted anywhere, but multiple covers were on this afternoon for what may well have been their debuts, including Ashlyn Weekes as Pearl (beautiful performance) and Gary Sheridan as Hydra (interesting to see the role played with an Irish accent, moved slightly slower than Jayden but their cartwheeling down the ramp on skates is a highlight). Harrison Peterkin was on as Lumber as well (looks great, moves great, there were a few reasons I thought him less experienced on stage than the others but should get there). Be interesting to see when the next set of covers get to debut.

[BVM]

Jun 27, 2024 23:28:34 GMT Dr Tom said:

Jun 27, 2024 21:57:51 GMT concorde said:

Dynamic pricing means that if you purchased tickets in advance and cannot go, good luck reselling your tickets. Basically you are out the money.

This is selling well, but I don’t think there’s demand for resales. All I can suggest is to purchase through TodayTix and add their insurance. You can cancel if you can’t go (or even cancel and rebuy if prices go down).

For the running time question, I’d have this more at 2 hours 30 minutes, but that does include getting out of the building.

There’s little posted anywhere, but multiple covers were on this afternoon for what may well have been their debuts, including Ashlyn Weekes as Pearl (beautiful performance) and Gary Sheridan as Hydra (interesting to see the role played with an Irish accent, moved slightly slower than Jayden but their cartwheeling down the ramp on skates is a highlight). Harrison Peterkin was on as Lumber as well (looks great, moves great, there were a few reasons I thought him less experienced on stage than the others but should get there). Be interesting to see when the next set of covers get to debut.

Do they still not have “cast at this performance” info?!
Can I ask how you found out which covers were on otherwise?

One of my current Starlight bugbears!

[d'James]

Jun 27, 2024 23:40:51 GMT BVM said:

Jun 27, 2024 23:28:34 GMT Dr Tom said:

This is selling well, but I don’t think there’s demand for resales. All I can suggest is to purchase through TodayTix and add their insurance. You can cancel if you can’t go (or even cancel and rebuy if prices go down).

For the running time question, I’d have this more at 2 hours 30 minutes, but that does include getting out of the building.

There’s little posted anywhere, but multiple covers were on this afternoon for what may well have been their debuts, including Ashlyn Weekes as Pearl (beautiful performance) and Gary Sheridan as Hydra (interesting to see the role played with an Irish accent, moved slightly slower than Jayden but their cartwheeling down the ramp on skates is a highlight). Harrison Peterkin was on as Lumber as well (looks great, moves great, there were a few reasons I thought him less experienced on stage than the others but should get there). Be interesting to see when the next set of covers get to debut.

Do they still not have “cast at this performance” info?!
Can I ask how you found out which covers were on otherwise?

One of my current Starlight bugbears!

On one of the Facebook groups, there are pics and they said there are there were signs out. (Pearl’s costume looked horrendously unfinished; reminded me of Stephanie Lawrence without the skirt and in more neon pink).

[Dr Tom]

Regarding covers, there were a few notices pinned up, but they’d be easy to miss. I hadn’t spotted any at previous performances.

But I was sat in first class, so I would have noticed the different actors. It would be harder to tell further back, especially with the costumes.

It was an odd crowd, mainly the older Thursday matinee audience. I did also hear some people who were rather unhappy with their back row seat on Platform 2 or 3. There’s barely a rake in those platforms, so do bear that in mind.

[theatreloser]

Jun 27, 2024 23:50:30 GMT d'James said:

Jun 27, 2024 23:40:51 GMT BVM said:

Do they still not have “cast at this performance” info?!
Can I ask how you found out which covers were on otherwise?

One of my current Starlight bugbears!

On one of the Facebook groups, there are pics and they said there are there were signs out. (Pearl’s costume looked horrendously unfinished; reminded me of Stephanie Lawrence without the skirt and in more neon pink).

That’s because her costume is currently unfinished and this was thrown together with what they had last minute as the debut was unexpected!

[Dr Tom]

The single seat discounts for tomorrow have appeared, so I've booked Platform 2 (central aisle) for the matinee. Will be nice to see the show from that angle. Hopefully I'm tall enough to not be too concerned about the lack of rake.

For people who usually go to the theatre on their own, the design of the seating sections makes it almost inevitable that a load of single seats will be left. That's definitely not a complaint.

Even better, there's no sign of Taylor Swift tomorrow. Wembley is also an easier trip than trying to get through the Pride crowds in central London (much as I support Pride, unless you're queued up hours early, you can't see anything of note, and I don't really cope well with tightly packed crowds).

Now, what's the hope that some kind person (or engine) can help slip me into press night?

[Jon]

Jun 28, 2024 11:47:53 GMT Dr Tom said:

The single seat discounts for tomorrow have appeared, so I've booked Platform 2 (central aisle) for the matinee. Will be nice to see the show from that angle. Hopefully I'm tall enough to not be too concerned about the lack of rake.

For people who usually go to the theatre on their own, the design of the seating sections makes it almost inevitable that a load of single seats will be left. That's definitely not a complaint.

Even better, there's no sign of Taylor Swift tomorrow. Wembley is also an easier trip than trying to get through the Pride crowds in central London (much as I support Pride, unless you're queued up hours early, you can't see anything of note, and I don't really cope well with tightly packed crowds).

Now, what's the hope that some kind person (or engine) can help slip me into press night?

There is a Green Day concert at Wembley Stadium but that's not until the evening. 

[Dr Tom]

Jun 28, 2024 11:49:30 GMT Jon said:

There is a Green Day concert at Wembley Stadium but that's not until the evening. 

Well, I know more Green Day songs than Taylor Swift songs, and Green Day fans aren't as scary as they look! I don't expect to see many doing "the double" (i.e. Starlight Express in the afternoon, concert in the evening) though.

[mrnutz]

Jun 28, 2024 11:47:53 GMT Dr Tom said:

The single seat discounts for tomorrow have appeared, so I've booked Platform 2 (central aisle) for the matinee. Will be nice to see the show from that angle. Hopefully I'm tall enough to not be too concerned about the lack of rake.

I saw it from Platform 2, Row E and thought the rake was decent enough.

[danb]

Jun 28, 2024 13:39:32 GMT mrnutz said:

Jun 28, 2024 11:47:53 GMT Dr Tom said:

The single seat discounts for tomorrow have appeared, so I've booked Platform 2 (central aisle) for the matinee. Will be nice to see the show from that angle. Hopefully I'm tall enough to not be too concerned about the lack of rake.

I saw it from Platform 2, Row E and thought the rake was decent enough.

We were in Platform 2 row F and the view was great. (I was on the outer edge).

[d'James]

Jun 28, 2024 11:30:49 GMT theatreloser said:

Jun 27, 2024 23:50:30 GMT d'James said:

On one of the Facebook groups, there are pics and they said there are there were signs out. (Pearl’s costume looked horrendously unfinished; reminded me of Stephanie Lawrence without the skirt and in more neon pink).

That’s because her costume is currently unfinished and this was thrown together with what they had last minute as the debut was unexpected!

Obviously!

Pretty shoddy.

[danb]

Jun 28, 2024 11:30:49 GMT theatreloser said:

Jun 27, 2024 23:50:30 GMT d'James said:

On one of the Facebook groups, there are pics and they said there are there were signs out. (Pearl’s costume looked horrendously unfinished; reminded me of Stephanie Lawrence without the skirt and in more neon pink).

That’s because her costume is currently unfinished and this was thrown together with what they had last minute as the debut was unexpected!

Having flashbacks to the ugly black super swing ‘Six’ costume!

[BVM]

Jun 28, 2024 8:41:41 GMT Dr Tom said:

Regarding covers, there were a few notices pinned up, but they’d be easy to miss. I hadn’t spotted any at previous performances.

But I was sat in first class, so I would have noticed the different actors. It would be harder to tell further back, especially with the costumes.

It was an odd crowd, mainly the older Thursday matinee audience. I did also hear some people who were rather unhappy with their back row seat on Platform 2 or 3. There’s barely a rake in those platforms, so do bear that in mind.

Thanks! Glad they are putting notices up at last!

Was it paper ones?

No idea why they can't put the info on the screens in there. They've changed the list of actors to a list of who is playing what role in the company on the screens - but the pics I've seen on FB just list whole company and not who is actually on!