For a purpose-built, immersive space to be created for one show, it needs to be a pretty spectacular one. And a return of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Starlight Express to London, for the first time since January 2002, certainly fits that bill.
From next summer, Londoners will be able to (much like the cast on their skates) glide into a newly-designed Starlight Auditorium at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre to catch sight of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical.
Starlight Express whizzed on for an impressive 18-year stint after kicking off in the West End back in 1984, and now a 40-strong cast of stargazers are following Webber the musical maverick into battle; one where he even promises a brand new plot twist.
After over 20 years off the London stages, it’s certain to draw the crowds in, with those itching to hear tracks like AC/DC, Make Up My Heart, and, of course, the titular Starlight Express. How will the tale receive the classic immersive treatment? Only time will tell, but Webber promises big things.
Luke Sheppard, who has previously helmed &Juliet, is on directing duty for Starlight Express, with new choreography overseen by Ashley Nottingham and Arlene Phillips returning as creative dramaturg.
Speaking on the return of the musical classic to London, Andrew Lloyd Webber said: “I am thrilled that STARLIGHT EXPRESS will be powering down the tracks again. The world’s first truly immersive musical will this time be an experience like no other. Watch out for the big new plot twist and you will discover why steam power is the future of the railway.”
Starlight Express tells the story of Rusty, a child steam engine that magically comes to life and aims to outrace the other more modern engines while hoping to impress Pearl, the first-class coach.
This marks the second show produced by Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals, the partnership between Andrew and Michael Harrison, an award-winning producer, with their first outing, Sunset Boulevard, kicking off at the Savoy Theatre in London this week.
Starlight Express kicks off at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre on June 8, 2024. You can catch updates about when tickets go on sale and find out more information by signing up here.