While many updates and changes (themes, characters, music, lyrics, set, costumes…) have been made to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Starlight Express in its latest reiteration at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, this crazy, colourful, immersive rollercoaster of a show still begins with a child dreaming of toy train adventures and, via the magic of Musical Theatre, those engines, coaches and trucks coming to life.

And it is through this child’s eyes (who becomes the onstage character of Control – not just a voice anymore), that it is best to approach the thinly-drawn narrative chaos. Do this and the combination of fun, spectacle, song and sporting event in an incredibly impressive, reconfigured theatrical space might rock your world. Expect anything to get your teeth into story or character-wise and you are likely to be disappointed.  

Jeevan Braich (Rusty) and Jaydon Vijn (Hydra)

Jeevan Braich (Rusty) and the cast of Starlight Express

Jeevan Braich (Rusty) and Jaydon Vijn (Hydra)

Al Knott (Greaseball)

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Starlight Express by Andrew Lloyd Webber (music), Richard Stilgoe (lyrics), Arlene Phillips (creative dramaturg)

Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, London, 27 June 2024

Starring Jeevan Braich, Kayna Montecillo, Jade Marvin, Al Knott, Eve Humphrey, Tom Pigram et al

Directed by Luke Sheppard

Starlight Express is booking until 16 February 2025 – for more information and tickets , visit starlightexpresslondon.com

You can read our full review in the August/September issue of Musicals magazine out 26 July – consider subscribing today!