STARLIGHT EXPRESS.
Tour.
STARLIGHT EXPRESS
music by Andrew Lloyd Webber lyrics by Richard Stilgoe additional lyrics by David Yazbek.
Runs:2hr 40min One interval. Birmingham Alexandra (0870 607 7531) till 17 March 2007 then touring.
Review: Rod Dungate, 28 February at Hippodrome Birmingham.
Invigorating, exciting, right on track.
It’s fun. Great fun. Very great fun. It’s nearly 25 years old and I’ve never seen it – now I’m mighty pleased I have.
It’s significant that A Lloyd Webber originally wrote this for his children; it’s part of its enduring appear, I think – it appeals so strongly to the child in us all. Trains are exciting (particularly the big, fast trains), steam trains are romantic, Rusty – the downtrodden steam engine – wins over in the end and gets his gal (was this ever in doubt?!) The show is storytelling at its basic level – and therefore at its most appealing level.
This is a fresh new production; directed by Arlene Phillips, the original choreographer. It has some new material in it – part of the reason it feels fresh and freshly energised. And now there’s the addition of 3D film (make sure you pick up a pair of 3D safety goggles – which you get to take home and impress your friends with.)
You can’t help but be impressed by these performers – not only do they sing, dance and act – they do it on roller-skates. Rusty (Kristofer Harding) is beautifully conceived, endearingly naïve and he grabs you with his two big numbers – the Starlight ones – with his easy, clear voice. Dinah (Lucy-Jane Adcock) is beautiful and witty in her second half U.N.C.O.U.P.L.E.D and you couldn’t possibly want to be without the warm embrace of Poppa’s singing voice (Michael Samuels). Don’t we just love the freight train (‘Freight is great’) and the three Hip Hoppers (Damian Winter-Higgins, Ben Harrold, Robert Nurse) who bring the street to the tracks with their Right Place, Right Time. And your life will be poorer if you don’t see Mykal Rand’s classy Electra.
It really is exciting in Phillips’s direction and choreography; fantastical and witty designs by John Napier.
Chekhov is my hero; I adore the great jewels of our Elizabethan/Jacobean period . . . but this is an invigorating kick up the bum and it made me feel young (no mean achievement.)
Rusty: Kristofer Harding.
Pearl: Gemma Atkins.
Poppa: Michael Samuels.
Greaseball: Tom Kanavan.
Electra: Mykal Rand.
Dinah: Lucy-Jane Adcock.
Ashley: Saskia Lockley.
Buffy: Kimmi Richards.
Hip Hopper 1: Damian Winter-Higgins.
Hip Hopper 2: Ben Harrold.
Hip Hopper 3: Robert Nurse.
Trax: Matt King.
Prince of Wales: Mark Hedges.
Caboose: Cameron Neilson.
Joule: Emma Stephens.
Volta: Lucy Boldero.
Wrench: Amy Webb.
Purse: Ben Draper.
Turnov: Mark Willshire.
Ruhrgold: Kris Manuel.
Nintendo: Matt Krzan.
Flat Top: Jamie Capewell.
Dustin: Gavin Ashbarry.
Swings: Tony Andrade, Lucy Boldero, Jamie Capewell, Lee Lomas, Andrew Millar, Ruthie Stephens.
Director/Choreographer: Arleen Phillips.
OriginaL director: Trevor Nunn.
Designer: John Napier.
Lighting: Howard Eaton.
Sound: Mich Potter.
Musical Director: David Rose.
3D Film: Julian Napier.
Skating consultant: Michal Fraley.
2007-03-01 10:45:36